(Facebook/Robyn Luthi)

By Cam Lee

Luthi completes Tokyo Marathon

Melfort marathon runner close to running six major international races

Mar 5, 2024 | 8:18 AM

A marathon runner from Melfort is now closer to her ultimate goal.

Robyn Luthi completed the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday with a time of 2 hours 59 minutes and 21 seconds.

Luthi told northeastNOW she was happy to run another sub-three-hour marathon, after going under three hours at the Chicago marathon in October.

“It was…for my coach a big deal because I trained through Saskatchewan winter with ice and whatever else,” Luthi explained.

Luthi ran much of the marathon with someone from Boston whom she knows from previous runs, which also helped to motivate her, and the weather the day of the race was excellent.

Award winner

Melfort Senior Public Health Inspector receives recognition

15h ago

Preliminary hearings set

Preliminary hearing dates set for two local murder cases

16h ago

BDO Debt Solutions

Addressing the Rising Cost of Living in Saskatchewan: A Guide for Residents Facing Financial Pressure

17h ago

Tokyo was Luthi’s fifth marathon completed among the six ‘major’ marathons, known as the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Luthi previously completed marathons in Berlin, Boston, Chicago and London.

She said this race was different in that the course had four switch points and featured a complete 180-degree turn.

“It was really hard to sometimes navigate some of the corners, but it was a really good course overall.”

Another difference in Tokyo was the crowds.

“The other majors you really feed off the crowds, they’re noisy, they’re super intense,” Luthi said. “In Tokyo, the crowds were there, but they didn’t cheer. It was a much quieter running experience.”

While many people love to jog recreationally, marathon training is another experience altogether. Luthi said in some training weeks she logs over 100 km of running.

“I find that you just have to be goal-oriented and really dedicated to stick to the plan,” she said. “You really have to be disciplined if you want to be running a full marathon at your full capacity.”

Fueling and hydration are also critical for anyone leading up to a marathon. Luthi said you must be careful what you put in your body during the days before a race and during the race as well. She said many new marathoners don’t fully understand the fueling component during that time, and that can make or break their experience.

Luthi’s final major marathon is in New York, and she has already run the time qualifying standard. She expects to hear next week whether she was successful as one of the fastest-time candidates to get in. The New York Marathon will be held in November.

—

Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK