{"id":130961,"date":"2025-01-17T18:03:39","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T23:03:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/runningmagazine.ca\/?p=130961"},"modified":"2025-01-19T08:15:46","modified_gmt":"2025-01-19T13:15:46","slug":"toronto-runner-sets-sights-on-redemption-at-houston-marathon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/runningmagazine.ca\/the-scene\/toronto-runner-sets-sights-on-redemption-at-houston-marathon\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto runner sets sights on redemption at Houston Marathon"},"content":{"rendered":"

After making his marathon debut in his hometown of Toronto three months ago, where he finished 10th, Andrew Alexander<\/strong> <\/a>is eager to step back up to the plate. On Sunday, Alexander will be one of four Canadian runners in the elite field aiming for a breakthrough performance at the 2025 Houston Marathon.<\/p>\n

Although Alexander’s 2:14:13 marathon debut was impressive, he expected much more. “When I finished, I felt I had more to give,” he says.<\/p>\n

\"Andrew
Toronto’s Andrew Alexander racing at The Ten by Sound Running track meet in California. Photo: Kevin Morris<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He told Canadian Running<\/em> he had to stop near the 35 km mark due to overloading on carbs and gels. “I was consuming double the recommended carbs per hour,” says Alexander. “It was too much.”<\/p>\n

He aimed to take in 150mL of Maurten 320 drink mix every 5K, and a Gel 100 every 10K. He was consuming around 370 grams of carbohydrates every hour, which proved excessive given his inexperience with the distance.<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old, wise beyond his years, has a positive outlook and sees each marathon as a lesson for the next. “I’ve cut back on what I’m using for Houston,” he says. “I thought I always needed to be fuelling, and overdid it.”<\/p>\n

Alexander trains mostly solo, under the guidance of former Canadian Olympic steeplechaser Matt Hughes<\/strong> and distance runner Dave Reid<\/strong> through Rhythm Athletics in Toronto. Although he excelled as a 5,000m\/10,000m runner in the NCAA, he always had his sights set on moving up to the 42.2 km distance when the timing felt right.<\/p>\n

\"Andrew
Andrew Alexander wins the 2024 BlackToe Holiday 10K. Photo: Graham Baird<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Uncertain of his marathon potential, Alexander is targeting a 2:10 finish time if he\u2019s feeling good. “I know I’m still relatively new to the distance, but I think it’s realistic,” he says. “I love competing and I’d love to give it a shot on race day.”<\/p>\n

During his build for Houston, which included 200-kilometre training weeks, Alexander found motivation in an unexpected source\u2014competing for the Strava Local Legend title on the “High Park-Upper Loop.”<\/a> \u201cI\u2019d get the Local Legend crown during my peak weeks, but there\u2019s this one runner who always takes it from me when I start my taper,\u201d he laughs. \u201cI don\u2019t know who they are, but maybe one day we\u2019ll do a lap of the park together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Natasha Wodak and Andrew Alexander storm to course records at BlackToe Holiday 10K<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n