On Sunday, more than 4,500 runners took to the streets of the Vancouver community of Kitsilano for the sold-out 2024 Vancouver Half Marathon. The elite field boasted a few of the top marathoners in the country, yet an American sub-elite, who paid for a bib, finished second overall with a time of 1:11:30.
Matthew Walker of Westerly, R.I., was visiting Vancouver on vacation and decided to sign up for the city’s half marathon. His decision ended up earning him a cool $200 cash for his second-place finish (for first among non-elites). Justin Kent of Burnaby, B.C., took home the win by a substantial six-minute margin, finishing in 65:09.
Since Walker was not from Canada, he was ineligible for Canadian elite prizing, which would have awarded him $600 for second place. The 24-year-old edged out Sam Wensink of Langley, B.C., by only eight seconds for the second spot on the podium.
Despite not being in the elite field, Walker is an experienced sub-elite runner who competed for several seasons in the NCAA with the University of New Hampshire track and field team. According to his social media, he is a fan of destination races; last December, he placed 14th at the 2023 Honolulu Marathon in 2:39:15.
It’s not often that you see a sub-elite crack the podium at a major Canada Running Series race like the Vancouver Half Marathon, yet a similar situation occurred two years ago at the same race when Samantha Jory won the women’s race outright.
Wodak wins in her hometown
Coming off a Canadian half marathon title last weekend, two-time Canadian Olympian Natasha Wodak found herself on top of the podium once again in the women’s half. Wodak won the race by 90 seconds ahead of her Tokyo 2020 Olympic marathon teammate Dayna Pidhoresky, finishing in 1:13:52. Pidhoresky stuck with Wodak until around the 15-kilometre mark, then held on for second place with a time of 1:15:22. Jamie Hennessy of Burnaby, B.C., finished third in 1:18:47.
For full results from the 2024 Vancouver Half Marathon, click here.
