Team BC Alumnus Cam Levins Break Marathon Record

On his bio sheet for the 2009 Canada Summer Games in Prince Edward Island, where he won gold in the 5,000, Cam Levins listed “representing Canada on the world stage” as his goal. On Sunday, Levins broke the Canadian men’s marathon record.

Levins, who wanted to debut in the 42.2-kilometre race on home soil and specifically the 29th annual Toronto Waterfront Marathon, crossed the finish line fourth in two hours nine minutes 25 seconds, or 44 seconds faster than Drayton’s performance at the 1975 Fukuoka Marathon in Japan.

“I was feeling good throughout most of the race and I made it through the last 10K. I thought, ‘I’m taking back my career and I did that,'” an exhausted and relieved Levins, who is taking a cruise with his wife, Elizabeth, on Monday, told Athletics Canada. 

“I’m headed to the Bahamas to get some warm weather and then I’m sure I’ll do another marathon after this.” 

Levins pocketed $6,000 for placing fourth as the top Canadian men’s runner and earned a bonus of $43,000 for the Canadian record — $1,000 for each year Drayton’s mark stood.