Canadian Runner Cam Levins Eyes Record Return to Tokyo

At 36, Canadian distance runner Cam Levins is heading back to the course where he made history, this time with his toddler son as his training partner and a bold plan to run even faster.

Three years ago, Levins stunned the running world by finishing fifth at the Tokyo Marathon in 2:05:36, becoming the first Canadian to break both the 2:07 and 2:06 barriers. This Sunday, he returns to those same streets for the 2026 Tokyo Marathon, facing what might be the most competitive field in marathon history.

Seven runners toeing the line have personal bests under 2:04, including defending champion Tadese Takele and Timothy Kiplagat, whose 2:02:55 is the fastest time in the field. But Levins isn't intimidated by the company.

His preparation has been anything but conventional. Between diaper changes and nap times, Levins has logged over 200 kilometers per week, often running triple sessions four days a week. His son watches from a playpen while dad pounds the treadmill.

"When I'm with my son, I don't want to do anything else," Levins says. "My schedule has become more rigid, but I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Fatherhood hasn't slowed him down. He clocked the third-fastest half marathon of his career in Houston and won the Vancouver First Half in 61:46, proving his fitness is sharp.

Why This Inspires

After getting outkicked at the 2025 Canadian Half Marathon Championships, Levins could have stuck with what worked. Instead, he rebuilt his training from scratch at age 36.

He added full-speed intervals to workouts that once focused purely on volume. He increased his strength training to help him close strong in those brutal final kilometers. He structured his entire life around being present for his son while chasing Olympic-level times.

The prize money is substantial. First place earns $80,000, and anyone breaking the world record of 2:00:35 collects a $200,000 bonus. But for Levins, the real goal is simpler: prove that becoming a father made him faster, not slower.

Tokyo's course is famous for deep competition, with 26 men breaking 2:10 last year and all top ten finishers coming in under 2:06. "You'll rarely find yourself in no man's land," Levins explains, which matters when every second counts.

The race begins Sunday at 7:00 p.m. ET, streaming live on FloSports for North American viewers. Whether Levins breaks his record or not, he's already shown that the biggest victories often happen between the start and finish lines.