Thirty-five years later, a Quebec runner surpassed the province's half-marathon mark, which has stood since 1989, on Sunday in Houston.
In his first career half marathon, Thomas Fafard achieved a time of 1:2:19, setting a new Quebec record. His performance earned him 12th place among the 6,761 runners at the start. Made in 1989, the previous mark of 1 hour 4 minutes 8 seconds belonged to Philippe Laheurte.
“I had good preparation and knew I was capable of running under 63 minutes,” he said on Monday. I'm glad I got under 63 minutes and I'm even happier with the time I achieved. It's the perfect scenario. It's always fun to win a title in Quebec. Many have tried to break this record over the years and it’s really fun that they managed to do it by a good margin.”
The Laval University club runner caught the long-distance bug less than a year ago. “I completed the 15 kilometers of Pichous [Saguenay] last March and everything went well, he said. I then said to myself: “Why not a half marathon?” I will definitely do it again.”
Homage to Philippe Laheurte
In Houston, Fafard wore the Endurance store tank top in honor of Laheurte, who tragically died in 1991 at the age of 34. Laheurte's friend and business partner, Olympian Pierre Léveillé, recognized Fafard's potential and offered to pay for the plane ticket to Houston to pay tribute to the deceased.
His 15 km time of 44 minutes and 2 seconds in Houston also allowed him to set a new provincial mark. It was also Laheurte who held the record with a time of 44 minutes and 30 seconds.
He takes the curve in the road
As an athletics specialist, the 25-year-old runner wants to make an important turn in his career. “I want to cover longer distances and by road,” he emphasized. The street has attracted me more in recent years. I had some street events built into my calendar for two or three years.”
“It’s less stressful and there are more participants,” continues Fafard. I have more fun. The road events are more open in Canada, where there is less depth than on the track. I want to run a 10,000 meter race this summer. My future lies more on the road than on the racetrack.”
The Quebec record in the 5000 meters, which belongs to his teammate Charles Philibert-Thiboutot, is in his plans for the summer season.
Photo courtesy of marathonfoto.com
The marathon in sight
Fafard's performance gives him the seventh best performance in Canadian history in the half marathon. Two minutes faster, the record of 1:00:18 belongs to Olympian Cameron Levins, who is also the best Canadian in the marathon with a personal best of 2:05:36.
“It's completely stupid,” said Fafard, summing up Levins' conclusion. My goal is to run a marathon in the medium term, but there is no rush. Since my chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympics in the marathon are very, very slim, I don't want to rush into anything and risk injury. The Canadians are very strong in the marathon.”
“It's completely stupid,” said Fafard, summing up Levins' conclusion. My goal is to run a marathon in the medium term, but there is no rush. Since my chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympics in the marathon are very, very slim, I don't want to rush into anything and risk injury. The Canadians are very strong in the marathon.”
Before tackling the marathon, Fafard will run a 10,000-meter track race in California in March. Félix-Antoine Lapointe's protégé will also compete at the World Cross Country Championships on March 30 in Serbia. His 3rd place finish at the national championships secured his selection for the World Championships.
Back in Quebec on Tuesday, as his flight on Monday was delayed due to bad weather in Texas, Fafard will continue his training at the Ice Center, which has a 455-meter track. “Since the ice center opened, it has been a big plus for us compared to the PEPS track.”