B.C. runners set Canadian course records at Boston Marathon

Two Canadian runners set course records Monday at the Boston Marathon by two runners from British Columbia.

Malindi Elmore from Kelowna, B.C. was an Olympian and mother who finished in 11th place for women at the Boston Marathon Monday.

She broke the professional women’s record with 2:27.58. This was an impressive feat considering that it was the 50th anniversary women were allowed to participate. It was the oldest race in the world, and it was established as such in 1897.

Elmore claims she’s never seen anything like it.

“The energy was electric. It was 26 miles of people cheering each other on. It was an honor to have been part of this legend race,” she shared with CTV News.

“There are 30,000 more participants. It’s a tough course. It is a continuous course of ups and downwards. It was one those days when I had to really dig deep in order to achieve the performance I achieved.

Elmore claims she had to sprint to the end in less than 2:28 to finish the race. She finished four seconds ahead of the runner behind her.

“I basically ran as fast my little legs would take me at that point. They were tired and beat up from the hills. Your quads are shot.” she said.

“I was motivated just to beat the clock in a given time. But, I would not have liked to have been finished in the last 100m of the race.”

Elmore has been twice to the Olympics, placing ninth in Tokyo’s marathon in 2021. In 2004, Elmore ran the 1500m, finishing 32nd.

For the men, the record was broken by Burnaby’s Trevor Hofbauer. He placed 15th with a time of 2:0:52.

He saidIt was a great day for him and his fellow Canadians.

He told CTV News in Boston that he feels pretty good right now.

“I’m satisfied with my performance. “I was happy with the day that we spent here.”

Hofbauer was also a Canadian Olympic Games marathon champion in 2019 and 2017. He was also the Canadian half-marathon champion for 2018.

Hofbauer saidIt’s difficult to compare the Games with the Boston Marathon. However, both share the infectious energy of athletes who give their best to a competition.

What’s next? With qualifying beginning in less than a month, the 2024 Paris Olympics are imminent. Hofbauer will just enjoy his achievement for the short-term.

“I have this enormous Tony’s chocolate bars, and I’m definitely going out to pamper myself tonight. I might run this week, or I might not. We’ll just keep it going day by day.”