Latest news with #OttawaMarathon
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Hec's last marathon may have been run with his son
Petawawa – Not too many dads at the age of 75 can boast running a half marathon with their 46-year-old son, but Hec Clouthier of Petawawa can claim he has done that as well as completing 50 full marathons (42 kms) and 17 half marathons. Mr. Clouthier and his son, Jeff, were among the 9,800 runners participating in the recent Ottawa Marathon, finishing the course in 2:03:45, a respectable time considering his age and the fact it was only Jeff's second time running a half marathon. The first time Jeff ran in a marathon was 16 years ago at the age of 30, but he came away from it with a stress fracture and ended up in a walking cast for six weeks. He complained about a sore leg throughout the race, but his dad blamed it on a lack of training. When the two crossed the finish line, (Hec insisted they finish the race running rather than walking) not only did he feel bad for berating him, but even worse after his wife, Debbie was finished with him. 'It turned out to be disastrous for him because at about the 16 km mark he started hobbling,' the senior Mr. Clouthier said. 'I thought maybe he just cramped his leg. He thought he had broken his leg. I told him he didn't break his leg, he just didn't train enough.' The two slowed down. Then Jeff started walking and then he was limping. 'Then we saw the finish line and I said, 'okay Jeff, we are not walking across that finish line. We are going to run across that finish line'. I was kind of giving it to him a bit, saying he didn't train enough. We crossed the finish line and he was leaning on me.' Heading into the recent Ottawa event, they set their time for 2:15, which is still a decent time for a half marathon. But as they ran the course, Jeff insisted they start running a bit faster to improve their completion time. Although the senior Mr. Clouthier was concerned his son might run out of gas, Jeff kept urging him to pick up the pace, and they crossed the finish line just over two hours later. Jeff was ecstatic. And dad was thrilled, saying it is not very often that sort of thing happens. 'I mean, how many other people 46 years old can say I ran a half marathon with my 75-year-old father?' Running marathons has been a passion for the former Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke Member of Parliament, who ran his 50th marathon in New York City last November. Now he is contemplating giving up marathons. 'If it (Ottawa) is my last long-distance run, it is a good way to go out with your 46-year-old son,' he said. It was a great day for running in Ottawa, he said. The weather wasn't exceedingly hot like last year when he ran the full marathon, and it was much too hot. He has run most of his 50 marathons in Ottawa, Toronto, Boston and New York. But he has also competed in marathons in Europe and Australia. When he ran what may have been his last marathon last November, at age 75, he didn't realize he was the fastest Canadian in the 75 and over age group. While his days of marathons might have come to an end, his days of running have not. He starts each day with a 10 km run. 'I don't run fast, but I run a route near my house,' he said. It's on Gutzman Road, from the top of Gutzman Hill down to the Ottawa River. 'From the top of the hill to the Ottawa River, the end of the pavement and back, is exactly 2.5 kms so I do that four times every day,' he shared. 'It's all downhill one way and all uphill the other way and the more times I run that and the more years I run that, that hill is starting to look like Mt. Everest, but I just take my time.' So what is it about running that has made it a lifelong passion for him? 'Just to stay in shape physically,' he said. 'I have always said running is good for you physically. It's even better for you mentally. I encourage people. Some people say they couldn't run a marathon or a half-marathon. I just say you don't have to. Just get out of the house, put on your walking shoes, and go for a walk. 'And if you want to run a little bit, you can run a little bit. Just get out there and see things. It makes your mind work.' Mr. Clouthier said anyone can run a marathon or a half marathon if they do the training, have the time or if their body permits them to. 'Motion is lotion,' he quipped. He admits there are mornings he gets up and has to drag himself out. But once you do it, you feel better. I have a treadmill and stationary bike, but I like outdoor running. If it's 40 or 30 below, you just dress accordingly. If it's 30 above, just dress accordingly.' Running allows him the time to think about a lot of things, and because he prefers to run alone, there no interruptions. 'I have been asked many times to run with different running groups and I said nothing against the running groups, but I prefer to be alone out there.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
ec's last marathon may have been run with his son
Petawawa – Not too many dads at the age of 75 can boast running a half marathon with their 46-year-old son, but Hec Clouthier of Petawawa can claim he has done that as well as completing 50 full marathons (42 kms) and 17 half marathons. Mr. Clouthier and his son, Jeff, were among the 9,800 runners participating in the recent Ottawa Marathon, finishing the course in 2:03:45, a respectable time considering his age and the fact it was only Jeff's second time running a half marathon. The first time Jeff ran in a marathon was 16 years ago at the age of 30, but he came away from it with a stress fracture and ended up in a walking cast for six weeks. He complained about a sore leg throughout the race, but his dad blamed it on a lack of training. When the two crossed the finish line, (Hec insisted they finish the race running rather than walking) not only did he feel bad for berating him, but even worse after his wife, Debbie was finished with him. 'It turned out to be disastrous for him because at about the 16 km mark he started hobbling,' the senior Mr. Clouthier said. 'I thought maybe he just cramped his leg. He thought he had broken his leg. I told him he didn't break his leg, he just didn't train enough.' The two slowed down. Then Jeff started walking and then he was limping. 'Then we saw the finish line and I said, 'okay Jeff, we are not walking across that finish line. We are going to run across that finish line'. I was kind of giving it to him a bit, saying he didn't train enough. We crossed the finish line and he was leaning on me.' Heading into the recent Ottawa event, they set their time for 2:15, which is still a decent time for a half marathon. But as they ran the course, Jeff insisted they start running a bit faster to improve their completion time. Although the senior Mr. Clouthier was concerned his son might run out of gas, Jeff kept urging him to pick up the pace, and they crossed the finish line just over two hours later. Jeff was ecstatic. And dad was thrilled, saying it is not very often that sort of thing happens. 'I mean, how many other people 46 years old can say I ran a half marathon with my 75-year-old father?' Running marathons has been a passion for the former Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke Member of Parliament, who ran his 50th marathon in New York City last November. Now he is contemplating giving up marathons. 'If it (Ottawa) is my last long-distance run, it is a good way to go out with your 46-year-old son,' he said. It was a great day for running in Ottawa, he said. The weather wasn't exceedingly hot like last year when he ran the full marathon, and it was much too hot. He has run most of his 50 marathons in Ottawa, Toronto, Boston and New York. But he has also competed in marathons in Europe and Australia. When he ran what may have been his last marathon last November, at age 75, he didn't realize he was the fastest Canadian in the 75 and over age group. While his days of marathons might have come to an end, his days of running have not. He starts each day with a 10 km run. 'I don't run fast, but I run a route near my house,' he said. It's on Gutzman Road, from the top of Gutzman Hill down to the Ottawa River. 'From the top of the hill to the Ottawa River, the end of the pavement and back, is exactly 2.5 kms so I do that four times every day,' he shared. 'It's all downhill one way and all uphill the other way and the more times I run that and the more years I run that, that hill is starting to look like Mt. Everest, but I just take my time.' So what is it about running that has made it a lifelong passion for him? 'Just to stay in shape physically,' he said. 'I have always said running is good for you physically. It's even better for you mentally. I encourage people. Some people say they couldn't run a marathon or a half-marathon. I just say you don't have to. Just get out of the house, put on your walking shoes, and go for a walk. 'And if you want to run a little bit, you can run a little bit. Just get out there and see things. It makes your mind work.' Mr. Clouthier said anyone can run a marathon or a half marathon if they do the training, have the time or if their body permits them to. 'Motion is lotion,' he quipped. He admits there are mornings he gets up and has to drag himself out. But once you do it, you feel better. I have a treadmill and stationary bike, but I like outdoor running. If it's 40 or 30 below, you just dress accordingly. If it's 30 above, just dress accordingly.' Running allows him the time to think about a lot of things, and because he prefers to run alone, there no interruptions. 'I have been asked many times to run with different running groups and I said nothing against the running groups, but I prefer to be alone out there.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBC
26-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canada's Linkletter narrowly close to winning his 1st-ever marathon, placing 2nd in Ottawa
The Ottawa Marathon nearly went according to plan for Rory Linkletter. The Calgary-born runner, who wanted his first-ever victory in the distance to occur on home soil, finished second on Sunday morning in two hours eight minutes 31 seconds. Linkletter charged late in the 42.2-kilometre event and could see the back of leader Albert Korir over the final metres before reaching the finish nine seconds behind the Kenyan, who broke the tape in 2:08:22 and also won the 2019 Ottawa race. Korir, who missed the Boston Marathon a month ago with an ankle injury, was third (2:08:00) in the New York City Marathon last November, while Linkletter was nearly four minutes behind him in 15th. The 28-year-old Linkletter went 2:07:02 for sixth in Boston, a 59-second personal best and fastest time by a Canadian at the event. He also ran 2:08:01 on Feb. 18, 2024 to automatically qualify for the Paris Olympics. Linkletter was 47th in his Summer Games debut last summer, a race that fuelled his determination to become the best marathoner he can be by the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Linkletter will try to lower the Canadian record in the fall rather than compete at the Sept. 13-21 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Cam Levins of Black Creek, B.C., holds that title after running a North American record 2:05:36 in the 2023 Tokyo Marathon. Linkletter's next race will be a half marathon at the Aug. 17 Edmonton Marathon, where he's "excited" to perform in front of family. Comeau top Canadian in women's marathon Tristan Woodfine of Cobden, Ont. near Ottawa, was seventh on Sunday in 2:13:21 while fellow Canadians Blair Morgan (2:19:36) and Arnaud Francioni (2:23:07) were ninth and 10th. Mercy Chelangat of Kenya won the women's marathon in 2:23:33, with Anne Marie Comeau of Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que., grabbing top Canadian honours with a fourth-place finish (2:33:10). Meanwhile, a day after winning his first Ottawa 10K in Canadian record time, Quebec City's Charles Philibert-Thiboutot said it was "one of the best racing experiences of my career." The 34-year-old broke away from Levins in the ninth kilometre and finished in a personal-best 28 minutes six seconds on a chilly Saturday night to lower Ben Flanagan's national mark from last year by three seconds. "It felt amazing to have things fall in place — good weather, fast pace, fitness — and give an effort that produced a win and record," Philibert-Thiboutot told CBC Sports. [It] was a true reflection of the work put in [since] March." The two-time Olympian, who's in his final season of competitive racing, was coming off a sixth-place finish (28:51) in the Vancouver Sun Run on April 27. Levins was second (28:23) in that race following a fast start. "I was expecting the same type of strategy," Philibert-Thiboutot said of Levins, the Canadian record holder in the men's half marathon and marathon. "However, this time my fitness was much better. "Things turned around for me in Flagstaff [Ariz.] during training camp the last few weeks and I was confident I could challenge him for most of the race. He is to be credited for my record as he [pushed] the pace for 8K before I took over." Larkin upends defending women's 10K champ Elmore Philibert-Thiboutot will return to the track June 7 and run the 5,000 metres at the FAST5000 World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger event. From there, he will enter 1,500m races in hopes of qualifying in the distance for the world championships. New dad Flanagan of Kitchener, Ont., had planned to defend his Ottawa 10K title but was forced to withdraw due to a hip/quad flare up. In the women's race, Gracelyn Larkin, who was running only her second road 10K, posted a come-from-behind victory over early leader and 2024 champion Malindi Elmore. Larkin, 24, stopped the clock in 32:43 while the 45-year-old Elmore reached the finish in 33:01. The Kelowna, B.C., resident was hoping to run faster than last year's 32:50 winning time as a "benchmark performance" as she prepares to enter a 10th marathon build for her world championship debut. "On the one hand I'm really pleased that there is some up-and-coming talent that's 20 years younger than me," Elmore, who held a 12-second lead on Larkin midway through the race, told Race Results Weekly. "Because, you know, we need a new generation ready to shine. But, it's always a little disappointing because I wanted to win today." Hamilton's Erin Mawhinney was third in 33:09, while Lanni Marchant of London, Ont. and Toronto's Rachel Hannah were fifth (33:28) and sixth (33:38). Natasha Wodak, who won in 2023, withdrew on Wednesday with lower-body soreness, stating in an Instagram post she had "maybe" one good workout the past month. "I couldn't get through my workout on Wednesday," said the Canadian record holder in the women's marathon. "My glute is still not great. My quad is lighting up. My hamstring doesn't feel good.
CBC
19-04-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Racing at 'new level,' Canada's Rory Linkletter aims for career-best marathon in Boston
Social Sharing While pondering his 2025 marathon schedule, mindful of what would prepare him best for the Los Angeles Olympics in three years, Rory Linkletter identified two spring races and not the World Athletics Championships later this year in Tokyo. He'll run Boston on Monday at 9:37 a.m. ET in the professional men's division, looking to redeem himself after an "atrocious" debut there in 2021 led to a 33rd-place finish after the Canadian was in the lead pack a little over halfway through the 42.2-kilometre race. On May 25, Linkletter will headline the Ottawa Marathon, believing it affords him a "great opportunity" to win his first of 12 races in the distance. "If I knock both of these out of the park, have awesome experiences and can run fast times, worlds might make sense," Linkletter, who boasts a two-hour eight-minute one-second personal best, said this week on a Zoom call with CBC Sports. "If I leave those races wanting to run something fast, we know Tokyo isn't going to be fast. It's going to be way too hot. "I want to try to run 2:06 or 2:05 in the next year or two and if I run Tokyo, that's taking away one opportunity. Where can I run fast this fall? It might be Chicago [Oct. 12], The Marathon Project [Dec. 19-21], Valencia [Dec. 7]. I can't say for certain until after [Boston and Ottawa] what will make the most sense for [my Olympic planning]." What isn't in question is Linkletter's fitness level entering the Boston Marathon The Calgary-born runner, who increased his volume in training and had a six-week stretch averaging over 200 km per week, is fresh off a 24-second PB on the track in the 10,000 metres at The Ten event in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., where he clocked 27 minutes 48.23 seconds for third place on March 29. "To have that big of a [PB] it would be close to scoring two hat tricks in a hockey game. It's rare," said Jon Green, who raced against Linkletter during their American college days and has been his coach since last fall. "It's proof in the pudding I'm ready and at a new level," Linkletter added. "Now, can I put it together on the day, performance on-demand, be the athlete I want to be?" Became U.S. citizen in 2020 That wasn't the case on Oct. 11, 2021 in Boston, where Linkletter clocked 2:23:34 in his third marathon and first of the Abbott World Majors. The 28-year-old recalled his preparation ranging from shaky to good, but he entered the race with confidence because there were some positives. "I was in the lead pack a little over halfway through the race, and then everything went wrong," said Linkletter, who became a U.S. citizen in 2020 and lives in Arizona with his wife and two children. "I cramped, my stomach was upset, my body was shutting down. First big stage of my marathon career and I was falling flat on my face." WATCH | Linkletter recalls 'brutal' 2021 Boston Marathon debut: Canadian runner Rory Linkletter discusses his 1st Boston Marathon experience 2 days ago Duration 1:06 In hopes of changing his fortunes this time around, the former Canadian record holder in the half marathon began his Boston build running two races at the 21.1 km distance over six days — in , Japan, where he ran a 60-minute 57-second PB on Feb. 2, and Mesa, Ariz. "To start a build in PB half marathon shape was a good indicator that if [I] build fitness week to week like I planned, there's a chance you're in breakthrough form by the end of the build. I had a seamless build from that point," said Linkletter, who was 47th (2:13:09) in his Olympic debut last summer in Paris. Linkletter has also sought advice from Scott Fauble, his former HOKA NAZ (Northern Arizona) Elite teammate who has placed top eight three times in Boston, and ex-coach Ryan Hall, who ran 2:04:58 in Boston in 2011. 'I have strength and speed' "I've watched it unfold on TV a dozen times and I've been able to race it once and talked with the experts," said Linkletter. "It gives me just enough information to feel confident I have a game plan. "To have the highest level of volume I've done in training and being in the best 10K shape of my career, I have strength and speed. Boston, because of the dynamics of the hills being a lot of up and down, you need to be able to access strength and speed you wouldn't normally. On a flat course, your pace variation is small." WATCH | Linkletter noncommittal about World Athletics Championships: Linkletter remains uncertain about running the marathon at this year's World Athletics Championships 2 days ago Duration 1:08 Canadian marathoner isn't sure if he'll compete at the World Athletics Championships this September in Tokyo, saying racing at the last 3 global championships wears on an athlete year after year. Runners in Boston are challenged by the Newton Hills, the most notorious stretch of the course. There are four of them and three before the well-known Heartbreak Hill and its 91-foot climb. "The common sentiment I've been told is that if you can survive Heartbreak Hill with some running left in your legs, there's a ton of momentum to be gained on the last 10K. I'm not scared of the hills in Boston. Having run New York and Paris, they throw punches throughout [the course] whereas in Boston you just have to survive one crucially hard part of the race. "I'm going to be aggressive, take the confidence I have from my training and racing this year against one of the best fields we'll see assembled this year. "A successful marathon is racing for the whole race and not getting into survival mode," continued Linkletter. "If I genuinely feel I'm racing to the [finish] line, I think top 10 is in the cards and I think a personal best, even on that course, is in the cards." Thomas Toth will join Linkletter in the men's pro division while Rachel Hannah, who ran Boston in 2017, returns to lead a Canadian team of three in the women's pro division that races at 9:47 a.m. Fellow Toronto native Kylee Raftis and longtime St. John's runner Kate Bazeley, who competed in Chicago in 2021 and Boston the following year, are the others.
