CEDAR CITY, Utah– Former Southern Utah 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, taking fifth overall and breaking a longstanding North American record time. 

In chaotic windy conditions, Levins ran a composed race and nearly won the event, placing fifth overall with a new personal best of 2:05:36, which broke his previously held Canadian record of 2:07.98 and a 21-year 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." 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 an incredible 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-meter, and two appearances in 5,000 meter and the 10,000 meters, 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 Southern Utah on the track in both the 5,000m and the 10,000m in 2012. He was named the 2012 Bowerman Award winner making him the first Thunderbird 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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