To the surprise of everyone, including the main interested parties, Caroline Pomerleau won the title of Canadian champion in her first career marathon on Sunday in Toronto.
In the final 200 meters of the 34th edition of the Toronto Marathon, which included more than 25,000 runners from about fifty countries, Pomerleau beat her former teammate at Laval Anne University’s Rouge et Or – Marie Comeau – for her hands to get the national title.
“When I crossed the finish line, I didn’t know I had won,” the author said of a time of 2:34:44. The organizers thought Anne-Marie would win and didn’t have time to get the tape out when I arrived. This victory surprised me and I didn’t expect it. It’s surreal to win my first marathon.”
The 28-year-old special education teacher at a Quebec elementary school came to the Queen City to have some fun. “I wanted to finish in the top five, but the day before the race I learned that there would be a gap for athletes aiming for a time of 2 hours and 35 minutes, which is the standard to qualify for the Boston Marathon to qualify in the elite category,” she said. After a time of 1 hour and 18 minutes at the Quebec Half Marathon, I told myself I could do 2 hours and 36 minutes.”
“After 21 kilometers I was in 6th place, but it was easy and I had the energy to chase Pomerleau. Starting at the 25th kilometer I passed several girls, but I had no idea if they were Canadian or international runners.
Unforgettable finish
Two kilometers from the finish, the winner of the Quebec Half Marathon began to believe in her chances of a podium finish. “At 300 m I still had juice and said to myself, let’s go, you’re capable,” she emphasized. When the race director handed me the Canadian flag, I said “Wow!!”. I wondered what was going on. It was unimaginable to win and beat girls like Anne-Marie, who had always been much better than me at long distance races since we ran together in secondary school. The victory over Olympian Dayna Pidhoresky is also incredible.”
Pidhoresky, a bronze medalist in Toronto, competed in the marathon at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, while Comeau was part of Canada’s cross-country skiing team at the 2018 Pyeonchang Games. Pomerleau defeated Comeau for the first time on the occasion of the Canadian 10 Kilometer Championships held in Ottawa in May, where she won bronze with a time of 33 minutes, 17 seconds.
In the overall standings, Pomerleau finished 10th in an event dominated by the Ethiopians, who took the top four places. Buze Diriba won with a time of 2 hours, 26 minutes and 50 seconds.
The World Cup in sight
When the special education teacher lands in Toronto with her partner and trainer Anouka Tremblay with no real destination, she rises up the rankings. “Toronto was a test because I only had eight weeks of training, but my win really puts me in a good position for the 2025 World Championships. However, my next goal is to beat my personal best at the Houston Marathon on January 14th.”
“The Olympic standard is 2:26:50 and the Paris Games are just around the corner, but my performance in Toronto put Los Angeles (2028) on my mind,” Pomerleau continued. I didn’t understand how to beat Pidhoresky and it shows that I can do it one day. The same goes for Anne-Marie, who trained a lot before coming to Toronto. I never thought I would beat her. I am a former 800m runner who has only been training long distances for three years, and marathon runners peak at 35. My career is just beginning.”
When Pomerleau returned to Quebec at 2 a.m. on the night of Sunday to Monday, he was at his post by 8 a.m. “I have no training and will take a break this week.”