On Sunday, Toronto’s Jan Adegeest, 58, broke a long-standing provincial marathon record at the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Representing the Toronto Harriers Run Club, Adegeest ran a remarkable time of 2:43:55, setting a new Ontario provincial marathon record and winning his age category by 17 minutes.
The record he broke had been set by Clifford Hall at the 1981 Toronto Marathon, with a time of 2:44:23. Hall, who passed away in 2022 at 95, held onto the record for 43 years.
Adegeest had been eyeing the provincial record ever since his breakthrough performance of 2:44 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, where he shaved 11 minutes off his previous best of 2:55. Although he set a new record in Toronto, Adegeest admits that it was one of his toughest races. “The race was difficult,” he said. “With a headwind from 35 km to the finish, I knew I would be cutting the record close.”
In preparation for Toronto, Adegeest made some strategic changes to his training routine. He increased his weekly mileage and hired a nutritionist to optimize his diet. “I wanted to ensure I was eating the right things,” he says. “It was a broad plan, but I also started using more gels on training runs to get my stomach ready to metabolize them on race day.”
Adegeest’s journey into marathon running began relatively late. He completed his first marathon at 51 at the 2017 Toronto Waterfront Marathon, finishing in 3:18. “I remember my friends telling me I should consider running Boston,” he recalls with a laugh. “I knew there was a marathon in Boston, but I didn’t know much beyond that.”
Top age-group finishers at 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Since then, he has improved his marathon best by nearly 40 minutes. Adegeest credits much of his success to having a supportive coach with the Toronto Harriers and maintaining unwavering discipline. “Sometimes it’s not easy, and the hard workouts can leave you sore, but you do it for that goal that’s three months away,” he shared.
Originally from the Netherlands, Adegeest moved to Canada with his wife in 2003. Growing up, he had a passion for speed skating, which he believes laid a strong athletic foundation for his ability to push himself and run fast in his 50s. “If you train while your body is growing, you build a base for the rest of your life,” he said.
Adegeest’s preparation for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon involved a vigorous 12-week training schedule, averaging 150 km per week. He often did two to three double runs per week, covering more than 21 km daily. Remarkably, he balanced the demanding training schedule with his work as a film set designer, working 12-hour shifts (Monday to Friday) for the first six weeks of his build.
When asked if he plans to target the men’s 55+ Canadian record of 2:39:57, currently held by Nova Scotia’s David MacLennan, Adegeest was hesitant. “The goal was to run a personal best and get the Ontario record,” he said. “Four minutes is a lot in marathon running, but then again, I went from 2:55 to 2:44. Who knows? Maybe I can make that jump again.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Adegeest has already received an invitation to run the Chicago Marathon, where he may surprise himself—and the running world—once more.
Phyllis Berck breaks Ontario W70 10K record
Earlier this fall, Phyllis Berck of Toronto broke the provincial W70 10K record at the Georgina Marathon on Sept. 8 with her 53:55 performance.
