MONTREAL—Kenyan-born Jospeh Chirlee dominated the Montreal marathon on Sunday as he led a record-breaking pack of 27,000 runners across Montreal and took the win in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 42.4 seconds.
At the 11-kilometre mark three runners had taken a strong lead over the ocean of spandex and bottled energy, but thousands followed in their wake.
Anne Roy was waiting for her daughter-in-law to run past, inspired she said to run herself.
“I want to do this next year. I don't think I could do the 21, but maybe 5 or 10,” said Roy, of the half-marathon that was also run today.
With his mom Miriam practicing three days a week, a little boy held onto dad Jean Gambescia as Miriam ran past.
“It takes a lot of discipline, when it's cold when it's raining she's still out running cause she wants to better her time. So we're here to encourage her,” said Gambescia.
Thanks to technology Gambescia can track his wife on his iPhone, so that they're all in place to wave at the right time.
Something else was new this year as Montreal's run has joined up with the U.S. Rock 'n Roll marathon series. Participants passed 26 different rock bands playing along the route.
With music and hundreds of volunteers passing out drinks along the 42-kilometre route, the top Canadian at this year’s event was Michel Lavoie, who finished in 2 hours and 42 minutes.
While some runners struggled in the wind and cool air—as runners took off from the picturesque Jacques-Cartier Bridge early Sunday morning, the ambient temperature was hovering around 10 degrees.
