Andrew Alexander Shatters Course Record at Georgina Marathon
On Sunday morning, runners gathered in Georgina, Ontario, for the annual Georgina Marathon. Among them was Toronto’s Andrew Alexander, who initially signed up to serve as a pacer. However, Alexander surprised everyone by completing the full marathon and finishing with an impressive time of two hours, 21 minutes, and 56 seconds. This remarkable performance not only secured him the win but also shattered the previous course record by nearly nine minutes.
The previous record of 2:30:28, held by Jason Faber of Toronto, had remained unchallenged since the race’s inception in 2021.
A Marathon Debut Turned Victory
At just 26 years old, Alexander’s decision to extend his race turned out to be a game-changer. He was pacing fellow Toronto runner Brandon Raftis, who was making his marathon debut. Initially, the strategy was for Alexander to only run 25 kilometers as a part of his training regimen. However, after completing the halfway mark in a swift 75 minutes, he accomplished a back half in an astonishing 66 minutes, leading him to an unexpected yet triumphant victory.
Toronto’s Andrew Alexander aims to be Canada’s next great marathoner
Impressive Finish for Other Contenders
Brandon Raftis also made headlines by achieving his goal of finishing under two and a half hours, completing the race in 2:29:40, which secured him second place. Parker Mills from New Tecumseth, Ontario, claimed third with a respectable time of 2:31:00.
Recent Performances Highlight Growing Talent
The Georgina Marathon marked Alexander’s third attempt at the 42.2K distance. His journey began last October at the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, where he clocked a time of 2:14:13. He further improved his performance in January at the Houston Marathon, finishing in 2:12:55. This rapid progression shows Alexander’s determination and potential as he prepares for his fourth marathon at the upcoming 2025 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, which will also serve as the Canadian Marathon Championships.
Top Marathon Results
Women’s Marathon
- Joanna Fear (Kitchener, Ont.) – 2:50:25
- Kathleen Lawrence (Toronto) – 2:58:45
- Alyssa Culp (Kenilworth, Ont.) – 3:09:47
Non-Binary Marathon Results
- Nat Hocking (Calgary) – 4:33:00
- Sergio García Ureta (Zapopan, Mexico) – 5:52:33
Half-Marathon Standouts
Top Men
- Ben Savill (Brighton and Hove, England) – 1:08:40
- Marcel Scheele (St. Marys, Ont.) – 1:08:52
- Tristan Markov (Oro-Medonte, Ont.) – 1:11:20
Top Women
- Shannen Murray (London, Ont.) – 1:18:14
- Alyse Gilliver (Brockville, Ont.) – 1:19:42
- Meghan Tait (Toronto) – 1:19:47
Non-Binary Half-Marathon Results
- Karen Scottie (Toronto) – 2:09:50
- Pedro Giorgana (Bowmanville, Ont.) – 2:30:08
For complete race results, you can explore more at Race Roster.
Looking Ahead to Future Events
With Alexander’s remarkable feat at the Georgina Marathon, there’s a growing anticipation for what lies ahead, especially at the upcoming 2025 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. As Canada seeks to nurture its marathon talent, runners like Andrew Alexander are paving the way for a bright future in the sport.
