The cool early-morning temperatures helped create ideal conditions for both the men’s and women’s elite fields to aim for fast times.
Ethiopia’s Waganesh Mekasha delivered a remarkable performance at the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Sunday, breaking the previous course record with a finish time of 2:20:44. This victory not only marked her second marathon win on Canadian soil, following her 2023 Ottawa Marathon triumph, but also set a new fastest time ever run on Canadian ground.
Mekasha, along with a competitive pack of athletes, targeted the course record from the start. However, it was during the second half of the race that she broke away decisively from her fellow Ethiopians, Roza Dereje and Afera Godfay.
Mekasha had come to Toronto seeking redemption after finishing second in 2023 behind Buze Diriba Kejela of Ethiopia, hampered by strong winds. This year, she claimed her redemption in style, recording a personal best of 2:20:44, slicing two minutes off her previous best, and toppling the previous course record of 2:22:16, which was set by Kenya’s Magdalyne Masai in 2019.
The women’s race saw an Ethiopian sweep of the podium, with Dereje finishing second in 2:21:26, and Godfay taking third in 2:21:50. All three finishers broke the previous course record.
Natasha Wodak Wins First Canadian Marathon Championship
After a challenging 18 months of trying—and ultimately falling short—of qualifying for the Paris Olympics, Natasha Wodak entered Sunday’s TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon with the weight of that pressure lifted.
Her primary goal was to win the Canadian championship, a feat she achieved with ease by completing the 42.2-kilometre race in 2:27:54. Although she initially aimed to finish in 2:25, a bout of nausea midway through the race and headwinds in the final kilometres kept her from hitting that target.
For the 42-year-old from Surrey, B.C., enjoying the race was equally important.
“It’s a bit frustrating when the time doesn’t reflect the training I’d put in, but saying you’re disappointed after winning a national title sounds a bit silly, doesn’t it?” Wodak said after the race.
This win marks her first national marathon title, adding to her Canadian record (2:23:12) and previous national titles in the 5k, 10k (both on road and track), and half marathon.
