Canadian Olympian Ben Preisner ran a 2:08:58 marathon on Saturday on the Beppu-Ōita Marathon in Japan, ending fourth and claiming the title of the second-fastest Canadian marathoner in historical past. “2:08:58 for a pleasant and glossy marathon PB!” the Milton, Ont. native stated on Instagram. “I felt like this one’s been due and comfortable I might put it collectively and compete on the day.”
Preisner was the highest Canadian marathoner on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, ending in 2:19:27 for forty sixth place in what was solely his second marathon, climbing 26 positions from the midway mark to the end. Fellow Group Canada athlete Cam Levins of Campbell River, B.C. holds the Canadian report and North American marathon of two:05:36, set on the Tokyo Marathon in March 2023.
Preisner lowered his former quickest time of two:10:17, set in his marathon debut at The Marathon Venture in Chandler, Ariz., in December 2020. He completed in twenty eighth place on the World Athletics champs in August 2023, working 2:15: 02.
Ben Preisner, 2:08:58, 2nd quickest Canadian male all-time this morning in Japan. https://t.co/dlSgy8p3UK
— Reid Coolsaet (@ReidCoolsaet) February 4, 2024
The 2024 Paris Olympic marathon customary for males is a speedy 2:08:10, and to this point has solely been achieved (amongst Canadians) by Levins. Canada can ship three marathon contenders to the 2024 Paris Olympics, so whereas Preisner must race one other marathon and obtain the usual to be assured of choice for a spot on Train Canada., proving his talents on this race has elevated stress on different Canadian Olympic hopefuls Rory Linkletter and Trevor Hofbauer.
Linkletter will likely be hoping to attain the usual and higher his quickest time of two:10:24 (from the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Ore.) on the upcoming Sevilla Marathon on Feb. 18 in Spain. Runners may qualify for the Olympics by putting within the prime 5 in a platinum-level race or having a excessive sufficient world rating.
“That Olympic auto customary fell via the fingertips in the previous couple of km, which stings, however general can’t complain concerning the efficiency,” Preisner stated post-race on Instagram.
Whereas Preisner doesn’t know what race he’ll sort out subsequent, he’s optimistic and will likely be toeing the road once more. “There are nonetheless ~15 spots open on WA factors (since I final checked) so I feel it’s fairly possible there will likely be folks in on factors this yr,” Preisner advised Canadian Operating. “I’ll undoubtedly line up for a race once more, whether or not it’s a half marathon or full marathon (or each) I’m unsure. And how briskly I must run to get in will likely be decided inside the subsequent few months of racing—relies upon what issues appear like for each the Canadian and World rankings.”
