Marathon runner Cameron Levins, originally from Black Creek, is preparing for the run of his life under odd circumstances. (Cameron Levins/Twitter)

By The Canadian Press

big race

“It’s a marvel” – Vancouver Island’s Levins to race in London marathon bubble Sunday

Oct 1, 2020 | 11:32 AM

TORONTO — A Vancouver Island-born marathon runner is preparing for the upcoming London Marathon in extreme circumstances.

Cameron Levins is in a compound somewhere outside England’s capital and can’t divulge where he is. He can’t even accept a call on his hotel phone or upload his training sessions to the running app Strava, lest anyone figure out the location.

The secrecy prevents anyone from penetrating the carefully-constructed London Marathon bubble for a small group of elite runners.

“I didn’t know when the opportunity (to race again) would arise, this situation they set up is really special,” Levins said on a Facetime call from his top-secret location Tuesday.

“It’s far from what I’d consider a normal race situation, but I’m thankful for all the precautions they’re taking and for being able to put together such an elite marathon, despite everything that has gone against trying to do it.”

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Levins, a 31-year-old from Black Creek on Vancouver Island and the Canadian record-holder in the marathon, said the elite race was made possible largely by the entry fees from the 45,000 recreational runners that registered to run a virtual London Marathon.

“It’s really, really amazing that this opportunity even exists, and I’m very grateful, beyond just how good it’s going to be in terms of competitiveness. It’s a marvel that it’s happening.”

Levins has taken numerous COVID-19 tests since flying to London from his Portland home.

He’ll wear a “bump” device, which functions as an exercise tracker but for COVID-19. If he gets too close to a fellow runner, volunteer, hotel employee or anyone else he receives an alert on the device.

Levins will be gunning for the Tokyo Olympic qualifying standard of 2:11:30 on Sunday.

Two years ago, Levins obliterated the Canadian record in his marathon debut at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, running 2:09.25. He broke a 43-year-old record by more than half a minute.

But Levins, a finalist in both the 5,000 and 10,000 metres at the 2012 London Olympics, struggled in last year’s Toronto marathon, fading over the final 10 kilometres to cross in 2:15.01.

He’d planned to race last April, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19, along with other major road races such as the iconic Boston Marathon and the New York Marathon, leaving marathoners scrambling in efforts to run the Tokyo standard.

Canadian races, such as the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, went virtual and the times can’t be used to qualify for the Olympics.

Thankfully Levins’ training wasn’t interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Long-distance runners are arguably the ideal athletes to train during a pandemic since they’re often alone.

Not having access to physio and massage therapy for four months, however, wasn’t perfect, but he said he was lucky to remain healthy.

While distance runners are accustomed to solitary training runs, Levins said nothing beats a true race, standing shoulder-to-shoulder at the starting line with the best on the planet.

“I’m certainly excited to race again,” he said. ”There’s been a lot of virtual opportunities, but it’s really not the same. I love the sport so much, and a big part of that is being able to pit myself against others, to be able to dig down and actually race.

“Being able to line up against others, I’ve been excited even before coming here.”

Sunday’s Virgin Money London Marathon is held on a two kilometre loop around the scenic St. James Park in central London. The iconic finish on The Mall from previous London marathons will remain the same.

Levins isn’t concerned about the tight loops.

“You spend so much time training at that speed that I get the feeling that, maybe not the full 20 laps, but a lot of that is going to fly by pretty quickly,” Levins said.

The world record at the event is 2:01:39.

The Canadian Press