The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon kicked off Sunday morning with elites and a cheering crowd, and history was made quickly. Kenya’s Leonard Langat crossed the line in 2:06:51 to become a two-time Waterfront Marathon champion and the first person to repeat as champion since compatriot Philemon Rono in 2017. On the women’s side, Kenya’s Leah Jeruto shocked the field with a surge in the final 10 km to complete the Kenyan sweep and secure her first career marathon victory, in 2:21:19.
Canada’s Andrew Davies posted the fastest debut in Canadian marathon history, finishing in 2:08:48, cracking the top 10, taking ninth place overall, and winning the Canadian Marathon Championships. Dayna Pidhoresky recorded a massive PB of 2:26:02 to take the women’s title.
Kenya’s Leah Jeruto wins 2026 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn
Langat commands men’s race
As the men hit 30 kilometres, 10 men ran at a 2:07 pace, flying through Toronto’s streets. As the pacers dropped off and the field moved past the 35 km mark, Langat took the lead and started to pick up the pace. The defending champion started making moves, and despite nearly running into the camera bike, he dragged compatriot and two-time Waterfront Marathon podium finisher Noah Kipkemboi with him.
As Langat entered the final straight, he was well ahead of his competitors and looked strong. Though he didn’t hit his PB of 2:05:26 from earlier this year or take down the course record, he was the only man to dip under 2:07 and earn the $5,000 time bonus.
Kenya’s Leonard Langat wins TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Photo: Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn
Kenya’s Fanny Kiprotich ran only his third marathon, and it was his first loss, finishing second, in 2:07:21. Third was Kipkemboi, in 2:07:25. Rono’s 2:05:00 course record from 2019 still stands after the winners came through.
Shocking victory in women’s contest
Every elite woman held on to the pace until the 30 km mark, when the top seven began to separate. And that’s when three Ethiopian women started to make their moves. Ayinadis Teshome led Maritu Ketema and Nigsti Haftu, while Jeruto brought up the rear. That was until Jeruto put her track speed on display and surged to the front. As the women passed the 35 km mark, Jeruto flew to the front and began to widen the margin. She finished in a strong 2:21:19, which was a massive PB. Before this, she hadn’t dipped under 2:24 in any race, and this was her first marathon victory.
Notably, Haftu was one of several women who missed the turn for the marathoners at last year’s race, resulting in a DNF.
Kenya’s Leah Jeruto wins 2026 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn
Jeruto’s victory upsets the Ethiopian contingent that has won the last three women’s titles at the Waterfront Marathon. While Haftu tried to close the gap in the final kilometre, she couldn’t after Jeruto’s surge. Haftu finished second, in 2:21:34. Rounding out the podium was Teshome, who said before the race she wanted to take down the course record, but finished third, in 2:22:51. Waganesh Mekasha’s 2:20:44 will stand for at least one more year.
Top 10 women
1. Leah Jeruto KEN 2:21:19
2. Nigsti Haftu ETH 2:21:34
3. Ayinadis Teshome ETH 2:22:51
4. Biruktayit Degefa ETH 2:24:07
5. Maritu Ketema ETH 2:24:45
6. Beatrice Cheserek KEN 2:24:54
7. Regina Cheptoo KEN 2:25:48
8. Dayna Pidhoresky CAN 2:26:02
9. Betty Chepkorir KEN 2:28:29
10. Florence Caron CAN 2:29:37
Top 10 men
1. Leonard Langat KEN 2:06:51
2. Fanny Kiprotich KEN 2:07:21
3. Noah Kipkemboi KEN 2:07:25
4. Asbel Rutto KEN 2:07:32
5. Elvis Cheboi KEN 2:07:37
6. Wesley Kiptoo USA 2:08:08
7. Gizealew Ayana ETH 2:08:10
8. Yismaw Atinafu ETH 2:08:44
9. Andrew Davies CAN 2:08:48
10. John Gay CAN 2:13:01
For our stories on the Canadian Marathon Championships contested here on Sunday, click here for the men’s race and here for the women’s race.
For full results, go here.