By: Jonathan Yue
Rory Linkletter’s view and relationship on running has changed since making his marathon debut at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon last October. Not only did it prepare him leading into the winter season, it also changed his mindset towards running.
“I feel stronger mentally and physically after having raced the marathon,” said Linkletter. “I know I can do very hard things now and that no matter how bad I hurt, I can keep going. It really changed my relationship with pain.”
He will open his 2020 season in Texas at the Houston Marathon and Half Marathon alongside a dozen other Canadian distance athletes.
Over the past few years, the development of Canadian athletes has been evident at different levels of competition and meets. It becomes even more so when at the depth of the Canadian distance athletes toe the line in road races.
12 Canadians will be on hand at the Houston Marathon and half marathon this weekend, as Cameron Levins, Evan Esselink, and Thomas Toth join Linkletter in the men’s half-marathon, while Rachel Cliff, Natasha Wodak, Dayna Pidhoresky, Kinsey Middleton, Melanie Myrand and Emily Setlack are locks to race in the women’s half marathon. Malindi Elmore and Natasha LaBeaud compete in the marathon race.
With so many other Canadians around him, the Calgary-native has been learning from some of the best, including Canadian marathon record-holder, Cameron Levins. Speaking with him on numerous occasions, Linkletter enjoys having Levins and Canada’s elite runners around him.
“He’s a very inspiring individual with his performances on the track and road and all the adversity he’s overcome,” said Linkletter. “I know that having him in the race will make me better.”
The gun goes in Houston on January 19, at 7:01 a.m. local time, 8:01 a.m. ET.
After five years at BYU, Linkletter joined Hoka One One to mark the beginning of his professional running career, he also represented Canada at both the IAAF World Cross Country Championships and Pan American Games, 2019 proved to be a big year for Linkletter.
2020 marks Linkletter’s first full professional season. Because of that, the 23-year-old wants to get it started on the right foot.
He won’t be the only one on Sunday with that mindset as some of Canada’s best runners look to showcase the results of their training and get their season started. After this race, who knows where it will take them as the action during the 2020 season continues to ramp up.
“It’s a real tone setter,” explained Linkletter. “It’s going to show me where I am this early and it will provide me some opportunities in the future if all goes well.”
