Like a hunter on the prowl, runner Thomas Fafard has his sights set on the marathon and, why not, the 40-year-old Quebec record. But the 5000m finalist at the Paris Olympic Games is not ready to draw before closing the track chapter.
Published at 5:00 a.m.
The Repentigny athlete rightly “came out of the woods” to respond to the call of The Press two days after improving his own Quebec half-marathon mark by two seconds, on November 10. On his second attempt at the distance, he surprised himself by stopping the clock at 1:02:17, which earned him seventh place in a tough race in Boston.
“A personal best on this course, we absolutely didn’t expect it! », rejoiced Fafard, reached Tuesday in the Mont-Laurier region, in the middle of a deer hunting trip.
As with its famous spring marathon, the Boston Athletic Association likes to offer a tough itinerary to the more than 6,700 participants in the fall half-version, presented mainly in the suburbs, with a hello to Fenway Park a third of the way through the event.
On this uneven round trip, Fafard, invited as a professional, and his trainer Félix-Antoine Lapointe therefore aimed to go under 1 h 3 min, which would technically have represented progress compared to his 1 h 2 min 19 s of the 14 January in Houston, where the topography favors fast times.
The Quebec runner also suffered a serious sprain to his right ankle in the 5000m final in Paris, which probably caused plantar fasciitis on the left side this fall.
“The recovery has been really gradual. We didn’t really have a half-marathon build-up. We didn’t have too many expectations for the competition. »
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Thomas Fafard
3 min, 3 min 5 s of the kilometer…
As in Houston, where his preparation had been more extensive, Fafard let himself be carried away by his legs… and the euphoria of the moment. “Throughout the race, seeing the splits on my watch, I said to myself: ayoye, I’m moving forward! I was well under the time needed to run 63 minutes. I said to myself: Félix is going to freak out a bit! »
After an attack from the future winner, the Eritrean Yemane Heilesalassie, on 15e kilometer, Fafard hung on to a chasing pack with two other Canadians, Kieran Lumb and Ben Flanagan, two track teammates at the Paris Games. The last third of the route, almost all uphill, was particularly trying.
“Nothing super steep that completely breaks the legs,” Fafard said. These were climbs that were still runnable at 3 minutes, 3 min 5 sec per kilometer, but it’s taxing. Especially after 15-16 kilometers, you get a little tired of running! »
Lumb, Canadian 1500m champion, attacked in the last kilometer to reach the finish line in third place with an impressive time of 1:2:03 on his first half-marathon attempt. Fafard tried to hang on to his compatriot, but “it was too much” for him on this final climb. The seventh performer in the country’s history still managed to beat Flanagan, holder of the Canadian records for 5 and 10 km.
“It’s a bit reassuring for me because I had an exceptional summer where I really took off,” observed the 25-year-old runner. We ask ourselves: am I going to be able to reproduce the same kind of performance or was it just the excitement of the Olympic Games? By not being at my peak form, far from it, on a difficult course, I was able to repeat a performance that was exceptional for me a year ago. It’s very encouraging. »
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Thomas Fafard at the Paris Olympic Games last August
The marathon in 2028
If his next big goal is to qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo over 5000m and perhaps 10,000m in September, his recent performance in Boston reinforces his intention to one day devote himself to the road full time. The marathon is definitely in his sights, probably sooner rather than later.
“The smartest way to seed myself for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in marathon would be to start right after the next summer season. I need to get some experience first and give myself a few marathons before trying to hit a big home run and do the Olympic standard. I haven’t spoken to Félix about it yet, but I risk being more involved in the marathon than the track in 2028.”
With two times under 63 minutes and a half, the old Quebec record of Alain Bordeleau over 42.195 km, 2 h 14 min 19 s established in 1984, invariably comes up in discussions.
“I think Alain’s record is within my reach if I decide to try it,” Fafard agreed. It’s quite realistic to want to set the Quebec record in my first marathon. The fact remains that it is almost another sport, with the issue of nutrition among other things. It’s a two-hour race, you may get cramps. It’s easier for a 5000-10,000 m runner like me to make a good transition in a half than in a marathon. »
It’s not the same energy sector, but I think I have the endurance it takes.
Thomas Fafard
For fear of appearing boastful or giving the impression that it will be easy, Fafard does not want to reveal the time he has in mind, but he estimates “that he can run well under 2:10”.
In any case, he explains, it is not the prospect of setting a record that attracts him to the legendary distance, the one that gave him a taste for running as a teenager.
“It’s an event that has always interested me and it was by watching marathons that I started following athletics. It’s possible to make the record in the near future, but I don’t want to put a date on my attempt. »
One thing is certain, the hunt is on.
Back to reality
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Thomas Fafard (right) finished 22e and dead last in the 5000m final at the Paris Olympic Games.
Fafard experienced a “Hollywood” scenario by qualifying for his first Olympics and the 5000m final after avoiding a collective fall in the heats. The “return to reality” was, however, brutal during the said final, where he finished 22e and good last after turning his ankle in the middle of the race.
Even though he suffered a partial ligament tear, he later learned, he refused to attribute his poor performance to that incident.
“It wasn’t necessarily the pain that prevented me from performing in that race,” he analyzed. I think it’s really the mental aspect. I started to panic a little and I tensed up. I just lost my concentration. At such a level, I don’t have that luxury. The others are so strong. If I had had an A+ performance, I might have been able to fight for a top 14and top 12 in an incredible day. »
A little “bitter” about this Olympic epilogue, he remembers that he simply must “work even harder” to maintain his place among the best in the world.
Cross-country deadlock
Considering it preferable to treat his foot, Fafard will not participate in the Canadian cross-country championships on 1is December in London. Bronze medalist last year, he leaves it to his training partner Philippe Morneau-Cartier, second in 2023, to “go take care of Kieren” Lumb, title holder. The same day that Fafard took part in the Boston half-marathon, Morneau-Cartier, of La Pocatière, won a second consecutive gold medal at the Canadian university championships held in British Columbia. Both Morneau-Cartier (41e) than Fafard (63e) represented the country at the World Championships in Serbia in the spring.
The means of his ambitions
Sponsored by Brooks, eligible for the Sport Canada funding card for the first time in his career, Fafard now has the means to train in the best conditions. In the circumstances, he chose to put his studies at the DEP in construction machinery mechanics on hold. “Ever since I was young, I have dreamed of being a professional athlete and running full time. I want to experience this trip while it happens and see where it takes me. »
