Nine years after her last win in Toronto, Shure Demise returned to the top of the podium, and she made it look effortless. The Ethiopian marathoner took control early and never gave it up, winning Sunday’s TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2:21:04.
It was her third title on this course, and just 20 seconds shy of the course record.
Demise looked every bit the seasoned pro she is. She pushed the pace from the start, opened a gap by halfway (70:04 through 13.1 miles), and stayed smooth through the finish. Betty Chepkorir of Kenya took second in 2:23:46, with Almaz Kebebe of Ethiopia in third at 2:26:41.
Toronto has long been kind to Demise. She won here in 2015 and 2016, and has since gone on to podium in Chicago (2018) and Tokyo (2019), with a personal best of 2:20:59. Her win in Milan earlier this year signaled a return to form, but Sunday’s performance confirmed it, this is the same Demise who used to dominate.
Langat Leads Kenyan Sweep in Men’s Race
In the men’s race, Leonard Langat of Kenya took top honors in 2:08:05, leading a Kenyan podium sweep. He was followed closely by Noah Kipkemboi (2:08:29) and Sila Kiptoo (2:08:46), who stuck with the lead pack until Langat’s final push.
Langat, who also won in Milan this spring, is having a standout season. With two marathon wins in 2025 and a $25,000 prize from Sunday’s race, he’s put himself firmly in the conversation for Kenya’s Olympic squad.
Last year’s winner Mulugeta Uma didn’t finish, and Dominic Ngeno, the 2024 runner-up, settled for sixth this time.
Flanagan Makes Confident Marathon Debut, Wins Canadian Title
All eyes were on Ben Flanagan, and he didn’t disappoint. Making his marathon debut, the Canadian 10K record holder ran a measured race and came away with the national title in 2:15:41.
It wasn’t a blistering time, but in muggy, breezy conditions, Flanagan ran smart. He started conservatively, worked his way up, and closed strong, exactly what you’d want from a debut. He also finished in the top 10 overall, ahead of several international elites.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m proud of how I handled the ups and downs,” Flanagan told CBC Sports. “There’s definitely more in the tank.”
He’s hinted at moving up to the marathon for a while. Sunday’s run confirmed he’s ready. With his range on the roads and growing endurance chops, Flanagan could be a real threat in 2026 and beyond.
Rachel Hannah Gets Her Moment
For Rachel Hannah, Sunday’s win was a long time coming. The Toronto-based runner took the Canadian women’s title in 2:33:48, finally grabbing a crown she narrowly missed in 2016.
Hannah has been a mainstay on the Canadian circuit for years, with victories at Around the Bay in both 2024 and 2025. She used her course knowledge and experience to handle the warm, breezy weather better than most.
“I’ve been chasing this for a long time,” she wrote after the race. “So grateful for the cheers and support out there today.”
