In our RT Snap Q&A series, we’ve had the privilege of interviewing some of the world’s best runners, delving into their extraordinary journeys, celebrating their achievements, and exploring the unwavering dedication that defines their careers.
Justin Kent
- Born: April 30, 1992
- Nationality: Canadian
- Long-distance runner
Justin Kent, born in Surrey, British Columbia, is a prominent Canadian long-distance runner with a career marked by significant achievements in marathon and half-marathon events. He has built a reputation as a dedicated and resilient athlete, representing Canada on the world stage and continuously pushing his personal limits. Justin’s journey in athletics reflects his strong commitment to the sport, from his early days as a competitive runner to becoming a respected figure in Canadian distance running.
Kent’s latest achievement came in October 2024, when he claimed his first Canadian marathon title at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. He clocked a personal best time of 2:12:17, underscoring his hard work and progression in the sport. This milestone not only elevated his standing nationally but also exemplified his focus on excellence and steady improvement. This achievement follows his performance at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where he finished 30th in the marathon, showcasing his resilience and ability to compete against top international runners.
Beyond his racing career, Justin also dedicates his time to coaching at Mile2Marathon in Burnaby, BC, where he works with athletes specializing in distances from 5km to the marathon. His involvement in coaching highlights his desire to give back to the running community and help nurture the next generation of athletes. Justin’s contributions as both an athlete and a coach make him a well-rounded ambassador for Canadian athletics, inspiring both aspiring and experienced runners alike.
Personal Bests
- Marathon – 2:12:17
- Half Marathon – 1:02:48
- 3000 Metres – 7:58.68
- 3000 Metres Steeplechase – 8:48.08
- 10 Kilometres Road – 29:03
- 10,000 Metres – 29:14.60
- 800 Metres – 1:51.07
- 2000 Metres Steeplechase – 6:01.84
- Mile – 4:02.67
- 1500 Metres – 3:41.00
- 1500 Metres Short Track – 3:46.48
- 5000 Metres – 13:46.30
- 10 Kilometres Road – 28:51 *
- 4×800 Metres Relay – 7:31.55
- 20,000 Metres – 1:01:01.42
- 5 Kilometres Road – 14:10
- 800 Metres Short Track – 1:57.62
- 8 Kilometres Road – 24:06
RT: You’ve mentioned that long runs, especially progression runs, have become one of your favorite parts of training (via CA running magazine). How has your relationship with running changed from your early days on the track to now focusing on the marathon, and what do you enjoy most about this evolution?
Justin: My perspective has definitely changed in the long run over the years. As a middle-distance runner, I felt like it was something I had to do but rarely enjoyed, whereas now I look forward to them. I’ve grown to love the grind and the ability to escape the day-to-day. It’s become a space that’s forced me to practice patience and mindfulness. There are not many instances in a week where you get to completely unplug, be outside and be alone with your thoughts for 2-plus hours.
View this post on Instagram
RT: Can you walk us through a typical week for you, highlighting how you structure your workouts to prepare for major races like the marathon or half-marathon?
Justin: For this build, we hit a bit more quality work versus volume, hovering around 180km a week, split up with a few interval sessions and two long runs. Typically would follow something like this:
Monday: Easy Double (16km & 8km) + gym work
Tuesday: Track or Road Interval Session (22km-26km)mc
Wednesday: Medium Long Run (24-29km)
Thursday: Easy Double (16km & 8km)
Friday: Track or Road Interval Session (22km-26km)
Saturday: Recovery Run + gym work
Sunday: Long Run (32km-40km)
RT: In a recent race, you mentioned the mental focus required in the final kilometers, especially after building up fatigue in long workouts like your 38K progression runs(via CA running magazine). How do you train your mind for these critical moments when the body is exhausted but you still need to push through?
Justin: Like anything, practice makes perfect. The more situations you put yourself in, the more comfortable and confident you are in trusting your body to shift or maintain those gears in the last few km. In these longer sessions, I like to practice staying calm and relaxed — focusing on little cues to maintain form and good posture.
RT: Every athlete faces challenges and setbacks. Can you share a particularly tough moment in your career and what you learned from it that helped shape your approach to both training and competition?
Justin: I’ve probably had more setbacks than successes in my career but I think that’s kind of the beauty of the sport. It definitely makes the highs, like Toronto, that much more meaningful. Earlier this year, I had an ongoing injury with my hip that prevented me from making an Olympic run. It was diagnosed as femoroacetabular impingement, and I was advised to have surgery on it. Thankfully we decided against that and went a different direction, taking more time off, getting a lot of physio work, and trying to strengthen the surrounding areas. It’s very humbling when you’re getting passed on your walk/run program by your 7-month pregnant wife during an Olympic year. All that said, these challenges throughout my career have made me truly appreciate getting to a start line healthy and trying to squeeze every last bit out of yourself on that day.
View this post on Instagram
RT: You’ve had some incredible races, from local competitions to the World Half Marathon Championships. Is there a specific race that stands out to you, not just for the outcome, but for the experience and what it meant to you personally?
Justin: Toronto will definitely rank up there as a race I’ll never forget. Coming back from injury, racing on Canadian soil for a national championship and having my coach, friends, family, and my 5-month-old daughter out on the course made it extra special.
RT: As a coach with Mile2Marathon, how does your experience as an athlete inform your coaching style? Are there specific lessons or strategies you emphasize with your athletes based on your own journey?
Justin: I think it goes hand in hand. I’ve been lucky to work with some brilliant coaches over the years, and now having worked with my current coach, Richard Lee, for over 12 years, I definitely bring a lot of his philosophy into my own coaching. I think it depends on the athlete, their event or their goals, but an overarching theme I try to instill, regardless of those things, is finding joy in their training. This sport can be tough and sometimes unfair; but if it’s not fun, if you don’t look forward to it, it’s hard to continually put in the work. When athletes are happy, enjoy their training, and look forward to workouts, they’re capable of transcending their limits.
RT: If you could give advice to your younger self just starting out in competitive running, what would it be? Is there anything you wish you had known back then that could have helped you on your journey?
Justin: Be patient, focus on consistency, and your time will come.
