Lanni Marchant, Eric Gillis Qualify for Rio Olympics in Marathon

Published by CBC Sports on October 18, 2015

Lanni Marchant turned the final corner just metres from the finish line, and peered up at the time clock and grimaced.

One goal accomplished. The other — oh so close.

The 31-year-old from London, Ont., achieved the marathon qualifying standard for the Rio Olympics, but missed breaking her Canadian record by just 10 seconds at Sunday's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

"It's the Rio standard, that was the ultimate goal," Marchant said. "If I'd gotten the record that was going to be icing on the cake.

"Came pretty close, came around the bend and thought 'You've got to be kidding me."'

Marchant ran two hours 28 minutes nine seconds to finish fifth overall, two years after she set the Canadian record of 2:28.00 at the same race. A Canadian record would have paid her a $30,000 bonus.