Tokyo, Japan – Cam Levins, a celebrated Canadian long-distance runner, delivered a strong performance at the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, finishing just 73 seconds shy of his own Canadian record. The 36-year-old Black Creek, British Columbia native completed the 42.2-kilometre race in two hours, six minutes and 49 seconds, a time that also secured him a new Canadian masters record for men aged 35 and older. This race marks a significant return to form for Levins, three years after setting a national and North American record of 2:05:36 on the same Tokyo course.
While Levins aimed to replicate his previous record-breaking pace, he experienced a dip in performance during the latter stages of the race. “I felt good. I made the move up to the faster group a few kilometres [into the race] because there were so many people in the last group,” Levins told Belgium-based Meta Endurance. “I started tanking the last few kilometres.” Despite this late-race challenge, Levins expressed satisfaction with his overall result, acknowledging the variable nature of his recent training. “For what the races have been like leading up to this, they’ve been so-so, I’m really happy [with today].”
Breaking the Canadian Masters Record
A highlight of Levins’ performance was his shattering of the Canadian masters record. He shaved nearly four minutes off Reid Coolsaet’s previous record of 2:10:28, set in Berlin on September 27, 2015. This achievement underscores Levins’ continued dominance in the sport and his ability to perform at a high level as he enters a new phase of his career. The Tokyo Marathon result demonstrates his enduring commitment to pushing his limits and setting new benchmarks for Canadian runners.
A Competitive Field and Shifting Records
The Tokyo Marathon saw a thrilling finish with Tadese Takele of Ethiopia successfully defending his title, narrowly defeating Kenya’s Geoffrey Toroitich in a sprint to the finish line with a time of 2:03:37. In the women’s race, Brigid Kosgei of Kenya claimed victory in 2:14:29, breaking the previous course record of 2:15:55 held by two-time defending champion Sutume Kebede of Ethiopia, who finished fourth in 2:17:39.
Levins’ performance also came amidst a shifting landscape of North American marathon records. He previously held the North American record but lost it to American Conner Mantz, who ran a blistering 2:04:43 at last year’s Chicago Marathon. This competitive environment highlights the increasing depth of talent in long-distance running and the relentless pursuit of faster times.
Recent Form and Olympic Aspirations
The Tokyo Marathon followed a series of recent races for Levins. He recently won the Vancouver First Half Marathon on February 8, 2026, with a time of 1:01:46, and also won the same race three years prior in 1:00:18. Earlier this year, he opened his 2026 road racing season with an 18th-place finish in the Houston Half Marathon, clocking in at 1:00:58, his third-fastest career time. However, at that race, he lost his Canadian half marathon record to Rory Linkletter.
Levins is a three-time Olympian, having represented Canada at the 2012 London Olympics, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to Wikipedia. He previously won a bronze medal in the 10,000 metres at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. At the 2022 World Championships, he achieved the best-ever finish for a Canadian in the marathon, setting a new national record at the time.
Looking Ahead
Cam Levins’ performance in Tokyo demonstrates his continued dedication to the sport and his ability to compete at the highest level. While he fell short of matching his Canadian record this time, his new masters record and strong finish position signal a promising future. As he continues to train and compete, Levins remains a key figure in Canadian long-distance running, inspiring a new generation of athletes. His next competitive appearance is currently unconfirmed, but fans and followers will be eagerly awaiting his next challenge on the road.
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