Canadian athlete Charles Philibert-Thiboutot, a two-time Olympian, has decided to retire after a successful 15-year career in track and road racing. Philibert-Thiboutot, 34, completed his first-ever marathon in New York City, finishing 21st in the men’s elite race with a time of two hours, 26 minutes, and 25 seconds.
Reflecting on his performance, Philibert-Thiboutot shared that although the race didn’t go as planned, he felt strong during the first half, clocking 65 minutes and 20 seconds. However, around the 28-29 kilometer mark, he experienced cramping, making it a challenging finish for him.
The Quebec City native leaves the sport on a high note, achieving personal best times in various indoor and outdoor events. Notable highlights include setting a national record in the Canadian 10K Road Running Championships and securing victories in multiple competitions. Philibert-Thiboutot, a six-time Canadian champion in the 1,500 meters, also performed well at international events like the NACAC Championships and the Canadian 5K Road Running Championships.
Having made his Olympic debut in 2016 and competing in multiple World Athletics Championships, Philibert-Thiboutot expressed contentment with his career, acknowledging the physical and mental toll of elite-level competition. Despite not qualifying for the recent Tokyo Olympics, he remains proud of his accomplishments and contributions to the sport.
In other race highlights from the New York City Marathon, Kenyan athletes Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto made headlines. Obiri set a new women’s course record, finishing in two hours, 19 minutes, and 51 seconds, while Kipruto clinched victory in the men’s race in a tight finish, narrowly edging out his compatriot Alexander Mutiso.
The event also saw impressive performances from defending champions and notable wheelchair race winners, adding to the excitement and competitiveness of the prestigious marathon.