Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Ongori wins second Toronto Marathon since seeking asylum in Canada

Ongori wins second Toronto Marathon since seeking asylum in Canada | iNFOnews.ca
Philes Ongori of Kenya reacts after she crosses the finish line to win the women's race of the Rotterdam Marathon, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Sunday April 10, 2011. (AP Photo/Ermindo Armino)

TORONTO — Philes Ongori won the women’s competition at the Toronto Marathon on Sunday, marking the second time the Kenyan has won the race since seeking asylum in Canada.

Ongori, who also won the race in 2024, finished in a time of two hours 40 minutes 36 seconds, two minutes and 44 seconds ahead of Anna Carruthers of Creemonre, Ont.

Meghan Foottit of Nepean, Ont., was third in 2:45:16.

Ongori, 39, came to Niagara Falls, Ont., as an asylum seeker with her husband in 2023, citing political persecution in Kenya.

She was a silver medallist at the 2009 world half-marathon championships and won the 2011 Rotterdam Marathon in a personal-best time of 2:24:20.

Austria’s Davide Zanetti won the men’s race in 2:25:08, followed by Rowan Shigeno of the United States (2:31:19) and Toronto’s Alex Hutton (2:35:15).


This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 3, 2026.

News from © The Canadian Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.

Related Articles