Thomas Fafard is gearing up for his final track season in 2026 before transitioning to full-time marathon training for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He had an impressive debut in the 42.2-kilometer distance, securing sixth place with a Quebec record time of 2 hours 10 minutes 29 seconds at The Marathon Project in Chandler, Arizona. This achievement surpassed Alain Bordeleau’s previous record of 2:14:18 set at the 1984 Olympic trials in Ottawa. Fafard’s time now stands as the eighth fastest by a Canadian male marathoner.
Fafard’s coach, Félix-Antoine Lapointe, expressed optimism about Fafard’s potential for improvement, aiming to shave off two to three minutes in the upcoming Olympic cycle. This progress could position Fafard well to contend for a spot on the Canadian team in 2028.
Looking ahead, Fafard and Lapointe are finalizing the runner’s race schedule for 2026, which may include a half marathon in the spring, track events in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, and a possible participation in the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen next September. The duo is eyeing a fall marathon for Fafard, with potential races in Chicago or Valencia.
Fafard is confident in his ability to improve his personal bests, aiming to lower his 5,000-meter time of 13:05:07 and achieve a strong performance in the 10,000 meters before fully transitioning to marathon running. Despite initially targeting a 2:12 finish in the recent race, Fafard felt comfortable running with a group aiming for a 2:10 finish due to favorable weather conditions.
During the race, Fafard faced challenges as his legs grew tired around the 33 km mark, emphasizing the need for more experience in longer distances. However, he pushed through, maintaining his pace to secure the Quebec record. While Fafard acknowledged the difficulty of the marathon distance beyond 33 km, he remains determined to excel in this new discipline.
Lapointe commended Fafard’s dedicated training leading up to the race, reflecting on their decision to pursue marathon running seriously since 2024. Fafard’s transition to the marathon was motivated by his Olympic debut that year, where he finished 22nd in the 5,000 meters despite competing with a sprained ankle.
Looking forward to 2025, Fafard faced challenges in his outdoor performances, with slower times compared to the previous year. However, he focused on building his stamina and endurance through long intervals and marathon-paced runs during The Marathon Project preparation.
Excited about the prospect of competing with Canada’s top marathoners, Fafard aims to secure a spot on the 2028 Canadian Olympic team. He emphasized the competitive nature of the selection process and the need to consistently perform at his best to earn a place among the country’s elite runners.
In other Canadian results from the event, Thomas Nobbs, Thomas Broatch, and Thomas Toth placed in the men’s professional race, while Rachel Hannah, Emily Andrews, and Leanne Klassen competed in the women’s professional race.
