Former Southern Utah University distance star Levins sets national record in men’s marathon

Former Southern Utah University distance runner Cameron Levins set a North American marathon record Sunday, March 5, 2023, at the Tokyo Marathon, finishing fifth in 2:05.36 | Photo courtesy of Southern Utah University Athletics, St. George News

CEDAR CITY – Former Southern Utah University track and field sensation and two-time NCAA national champion Cameron Levins cemented himself as one of the fastest marathoners in North American history Sunday at the 2023 Tokyo Marathon, placing fifth overall and breaking a long-standing record.

Cameron Levins, wearing black and silver (third from right), competing at Canadian Nationals, undated | Photo courtesy of Cameron Levins, St. George News

Levins ran a composed race and nearly won the event, placing fifth overall with a new personal best of 2 hours, 5 minutes, 36 seconds, to break his previously held Canadian record of 2:07.98 and a 21-year-long North American record of 2:05:38.

 “I told myself I could win it, and although I didn’t have it over the final kilometer, I look at this race as a solid improvement,” Levins said in an SUU Athletics news release. “I am just trying my best to step forward and challenge each opportunity.”

The B.C. Campbell River native continues to put Canadian distance running on the map. He now holds a notable list of accolades that consists of four of the top six times in Canadian marathon history, a bronze medal in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in the 10,000 meters and two appearances in the 5,000 and 10,000 on the world’s largest stage, the 2012 London Olympic Games and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

During his collegiate career, Levins won two NCAA individual national championships while competing for the Thunderbirds on the track in both the 5,000 and the 10,000 in 2012. He was named the 2012 Bowerman Award winner making him the first SUU runner and first Canadian to win the award given to the NCAA’s best male track and field athlete of the year.

Levins now looks ahead to his next marathon in Budapest at the 2023 World Athletic Championships on Aug. 19-27. His time in Tokyo has also secured a spot in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, as he’s well under the standard qualifying time of 2:08.

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