Photo: Victah Sailer/Canada Running Series.
Following last week’s announcement that Philemon Rono would race the 2018 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, today Marta Megra too committed to race in Toronto on Oct. 21, meaning both defending champion’s will be on the IAAF Gold Label Race start line.
The Ethiopian returns after winning the 2017 STWM the hard way – splitting six minutes faster for the first half of the race compared to the latter half.
Here’s her career, with a focus on last year’s winning race, by the numbers.
25,000
The prize winnings, in Canadian dollars, that Megra took home for the victory in 2017. The first-place prize for winning the 2018 STWM is $30,000.
2:22:43
The current Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon course record for women.
“This year I am in good condition, good shape so hopefully I will go slower the first half,” she says. “My goal is to run my personal best in Toronto and to improve the course record.”
Photo: Todd Fraser/Canada Running Series.
2:28:20
Megra’s winning time in 2017. She went through the half-marathon split in 1:11:02, or 2:22:04 pace, meaning she slowed significantly over the second half of the race, yet held on for the victory. Her PB is 2:24:08, so she will need to lower her all-time best by more a minute to challenge the course record.
“My goal is to run 2:17 or 2:18 (for the marathon) and to take part in an Olympic Games and to stand on the world stage where I can make my country proud.”
2,500
The elevation, in metres, above sea level of Sululta, Ethiopia, where Megra does the bulk of her training. That’s equivalent to 8,200 feet, a greater altitude than that of the Grand Canyon, for example, making it a challenging and beneficial location for long-distance running. Meanwhile, Toronto is essentially at sea level, at an altitude of 76m.
6:30
Morning training sessions begin early in the morning, specifically at about 6:30 a.m. Most elite athletes run twice a day, each day, in the build up to their goal marathons.
Oct. 21
This year’s race date. Mark it on the calendar and register today.
Quotes from a Paul Gains interview.
