MEDIA RELEASE
Sarah Inglis and Geoff Martinson win the Under Armour Eastside 10K
VANCOUVER, September 16,, 2017 – Geoff Martinson cruised to a comfortable victory in 30:00 at this morning’s Under Armour Eastside 10k in Vancouver. Falkirk, Scotland’s Sarah Inglis claimed a surprise win in 33:45 in a thrilling women’s race.
A sold-out record crowd of 2,800 runners toured historic Gastown and the streets of Eastside Vancouver under sunny skies and perfect 13 degrees Celsius weather. The fifth year of the race featured a new course that started and ended at the iconic Woodward’s building.
Martinson took a lead pack of five through a leisurely first kilometre in 3 minutes and 2 seconds. He injected a little pace in the third kilometre and the group was whittled down to three: Martinson, Justin Kent and Kevin Coffey. Coffey didn’t survive the impressive hills between the 5 and 6 kilometres and the race came down to a dual between Martinson and Kent. Martinson made his final surge at 8km to claim the victory. This is the second time Martinson, a former Canadian 1,500m international, has won the race. Kent held on for second in 30:17, with Kevin Coffey third in 30:38.
On the women’s side, last year’s champion Leslie Sexton of London, Ontario led through the first kilometre before Canadian Olympian Natasha Wodak and Sarah Inglis moved to the front and dropped her. The Ontarian, who has been running over 200km a week in preparation for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon next month, pulled them back on the big hills after 5km, but couldn’t contain Inglis’ speed on the downhill final 2km. At the line, Sexton was happy to be just 15 seconds back while Wodak held on for third in 34:32. Under Armour athlete and Canadian marathon and half-marathon record holder Lanni Marchant came home an encouraging fourth in 34:37 as she continues her comeback from illness.
“I am really happy to win the race with a personal best today,” said Sarah Inglis. “It was a great field of women this year with Natasha, Rachel and Leslie and I felt strong on the hills and great during the race. I’ve been training really well and I am looking forward to the Victoria half marathon in a couple of weeks.”
The race was also an important fundraising event for three Eastside community charities: The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, PHS Community Services Society, and the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Combined, the 2,800 participants have already raised $17,000 and participants can continue to fundraise online until October 1st online at www.eastside10k.ca.
“Thanks to everyone who was part of such a spectacular morning. The sun shone brightly over the Eastside, the athletes up front put on a show for us, and a record crowd showed they cared about our community raising money with every step,” said Race Director Clifton Cunningham. “We couldn’t have had a better day.”
Under Armour Eastside 10k top finisher’s results:
10km Male
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1. Geoff Martinson – Vancouver, BC
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30:00
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2. Justin Kent – Burnaby, BC
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30:17
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3. Kevin Coffey – Vancouver, BC
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30:38
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10km Female
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1. Sarah Inglis – Langley, BC
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33:45
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2. Leslie Sexton – London, ON
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34:00
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3. Natasha Wodak – North Vancouver, BC
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34:32
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About Under Armour Eastside 10k:
Canada Running Series
Cell: 778-549-8329
