Thomas Fafard is strategizing for his final track running season in 2026 before transitioning to focus on marathon training exclusively in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He made an impressive debut in the 42.2-kilometer distance, securing a Quebec record by finishing sixth in two hours, 10 minutes, and 29 seconds at The Marathon Project in Chandler, Arizona. This achievement surpassed Alain Bordeleau’s previous record of 2:14:18 set during the 1984 Olympic trials in Ottawa. Fafard’s time ranks as the eighth fastest by a Canadian male marathon runner, with only Cam Levins (2:09:25) and Ben Preisner (2:10:17) clocking faster times at the beginning of their marathon careers.
Fafard’s coach, Félix-Antoine Lapointe, expressed optimism about Fafard’s potential for improvement, aiming for a two to three-minute enhancement during this Olympic cycle. This progress could position Fafard to contend for a spot on the Canadian team in 2028. Fafard and Lapointe are currently finalizing the runner’s 2026 race calendar, considering participation in a half marathon in March or April, track events in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, and a potential entry in the half marathon at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen next September. Lapointe mentioned that Fafard’s next marathon endeavor may take place in late fall, possibly in Chicago on October 11 or Valencia on December 6.
Reflecting on his recent achievement, Fafard expressed confidence in lowering his personal best of 13:05:07 over 5,000 meters on the track. He aims to excel in the 10,000 meters before transitioning permanently to marathon running. Fafard highlighted his positive feelings at the beginning of the marathon race and credited favorable weather conditions for his decision to run alongside a group targeting a 2:10 finish time.
As the race progressed, Fafard acknowledged feeling fatigue at the 33 km mark due to his limited experience and mileage in the marathon distance. Despite this, he pushed himself to maintain pace and secure the Quebec record by staying close to eventual winner JP Flavin until the 35 km mark. While Fafard’s pace slightly declined in the final kilometers, he remained determined and expressed his commitment to pursuing a future in marathon running.
Lapointe emphasized Fafard’s dedication and focus during the training period leading up to the race, highlighting the importance of concluding the year on a positive note. The decision to transition to marathons was influenced by Fafard’s performance in outdoor events in 2025, leading to a mutual agreement between Fafard and Lapointe to pursue marathon running seriously after discussions throughout 2024.
Looking ahead, Fafard aspires to join the elite group of Canadian marathon runners and compete for a spot on the 2028 Canadian Olympic team. He emphasized the competitive landscape and the need to elevate his performance to secure a position among the top athletes. The overall performance of Canadian male marathon runners, including Levins, Linkletter, Preisner, and Kent, has set a high standard, motivating Fafard to strive for excellence in the coming years.
In Sunday’s races, other Canadian competitors also delivered commendable performances. In the men’s professional race, Thomas Nobbs finished 11th with a time of 2:12:27, followed by Thomas Broatch in 14th place at 2:13:43, and Thomas Toth in 29th place at 2:17:00. In the women’s professional race, Rachel Hannah claimed the 16th spot with a time of 2:41:49, while Emily Andrews finished 17th with 2:43:03, and Leanne Klassen secured the 20th position with a time of 2:45:26.