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Under Armour Toronto 10K

Rwandan Leads Competitive Field at 2025 Under Armour Toronto 10K

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By Paul Gains

Salome Nyirarukundo returns to the Under Armour Toronto 10K on Saturday, June 14th in search of the victory that has eluded her the past two years.

The Rwandan finished second in both the 2024 and 2023 editions of this Canada Running Series race and would like nothing more than to reach the top step on the podium this time.

“Absolutely, you know, I am a very competitive woman I am always trying to improve myself racing better and better,” says the 27-year-old Ottawa resident. “I am sure that this year I am going to have a good race. I believe in myself and I can compete and win the race. Who knows? Everybody has a chance.”

Nyirarukundo trains with the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club under coach Ray Elrick while holding down two jobs at local hospitals.

“I am employed in long term care as a personal support worker,” she explains. “I work at the hospital, I have actually two jobs. I am not in the shape I used to be but I am getting there.”

Earning a living has led her to employ tremendous time management skills and she fits in training around her work schedule. Clearly she is a special athlete with tremendous potential as she demonstrated as an 18-year-old when she set a Rwandan national 10,000m record of 31:45.82 and represented her country at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Two years later she made her way to Canada where she is now a ‘permanent resident’. One day she hopes to become a Canadian citizen.

“There was more opportunity here in Canada for people who want to make a new life,” she says of her decision to leave her home and family. “My biggest dream was having the chance to one day represent Canada whether it’s at the world championships or the Olympics. That is my biggest dream. Maybe my dream will come to true. Who knows.”

Among those she will face in Toronto are 2015 Pan Am Games marathon bronze medalist, Rachel Hannah who finished third here the past two years. The pair had another battle recently at the Canadian 10km championships in Ottawa with Nyirarukundo once again getting the better of her rival finishing 4th while the 38-year-old Hannah came home 6th.

Kylie Raftis, a graduate of Boston College, will also be a contender. The Toronto native was the top Canadian finisher at this year’s Boston Marathon finishing in 2:34:41 and in another coincidence, just one second ahead of Hannah.

The men’s race also promises to be a highly competitive affair with Lee Wesselius, the third-place finisher a year ago, returning.

The 31-year-old from River Glade, New Brunswick has a personal best of 29:13 set on this course in 2021 while finishing 7th in the Canadian 10k Championships. He also ran the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon – which includes the 10k course – when he improved his personal best at that distance to 2:13:52. That resulted in 9th place.

“I am pretty familiar with the course and I guess I have raced on it enough to know what parts are easier,” he offers. “I have a good grasp of the course.

“I think I am in pretty similar shape to when I ran my personal best.  In Ottawa I ran 13 or 14 seconds off my ‘PB’ but we went out close to ’29 flat’ pace.  I think if the pace was a little more smooth it possibly would have been in the cards (in Ottawa) for a new personal best.”

Wesselius is working as a large animal veterinarian in Winchester, Ontario just south of Ottawa and says he’s learned to manage to pack in between 160 and 180 kilometres a week around his busy work schedule. Once a month he must work on-call on a weekend which can pose complications.

“I will stay close to the practice and kind of hope that I am not called out,” he says of his response to the potential conflicts between his two vocations.

Among the challengers Wesselius will face is Connor Black of the London Western Track Club. He was the 2022 Canadian Cross Country champion and has improved significantly since finishing one place behind Wesselius in the 2021 Canadian 10k Championships.

Then there’s Thomas Nobbs, who was second in a personal best (1:03:02) in the Project 13.1 Half Marathon in Congers, New York back in March. He then finished 7th in the Vancouver Sun Run 10k in 29:18 though that course has a slight decline in elevation rendering times unofficial.

Wesselius will be seeking a podium place and knows he has a chance at victory but he’s clinical in his assessment.

“I will have to see what the fields are like. You mentioned Connor Black is running I know he’s pretty fit,” Wesselius admits. “And Thomas Nobbs is also in pretty good shape. I do feel I am in better shape than I was the previous two times. It depends on how the race plays out.”

With a week remaining until the Under Armour Toronto 10K the race has over 8,000 entries. It’s not surprising. The race has attracted runners from nine Canadian provinces, two territories, thirteen US states and twenty-eight countries.

Under Armour Toronto 10K Elite Start List

Elite Men
1
2 Connor Black
3 Thomas Nobbs
4 Lee Wesselius
5 Robert Kanko
6 Alex Cyr
7 Ryan Tyrrell
8 Ehab El-Sandali
9 Saed Griffith
10 Girma Assefa
11 Tsegaye Dissasa
12 Bonsa Gonfa
13 Danny Morin
14 Clive Kyeyune
15 Ryan Tice
16 Parker Levac
17 Mathieu Moor
18 Daniel Fournier
19 Cory Nagler
20 Brent Smalley
21 Tiago De Oliveira
22 Parker Simon
23 Caleb Beland
24 Robert Mazzanti
25 Robin Faricier
26 Brian Byrne
27 Adam Hortian
28 Kevin Smith
29 Steven Killeen
30 David Sharratt
31 Andy Blackwell
32 Bernie Hogan
33 Charles Bedley
34 Robert van den Heuvel
35 Andrew Currell
36 Ed Heung
Elite Women
51 Salome Nyirarukundo
52 Rachel Hannah
53 Kylee Raftis
54 Philes Ongori
55 Laura Desjardins
56 Brittany Moran
57 Teagan Robertson
58 Olivia Roussel
59 Lauren King
60 Kathleen Lawrence
61 Meghan Tait
62 Madeleine Davidson
63 Marie-Renée Emond
64 Alyse Gilliver
65 Austine Wang
66 Ana Laura Fray
67 Ava Stefanovich-Thomson
68 Gillian McCabe
69 Jay Smith
70 Elaina Raponi
71 Andrea Smith
72 Carly Eby
73 Maggie Dunlop
74 Bridget Leon

Beyond the Finish Line: How the Under Armour Toronto 10K is Helping Kids Play

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Under Armour’s Toronto 10K isn’t just about the finish line, it’s about creating opportunities for kids across Canada to play, grow and belong through sport. That’s why the race partners with KidSport Ontario.

Recognizing cost as one of the greatest barriers around the globe and specifically impacting one in three youth in Canada, Under Armour has chosen to partner with KidSport as they provide financial assistance with sports registration fees and equipment costs. Sports not only keeps kids active but helps lay the foundation for a strong community. When children participate in organized sports, they develop focus, motivation and the energy to succeed in school. They gain confidence, learn teamwork and grow into leaders. Simply put, sport has the power to change lives.

At the Under Armour Toronto 10K, children have a chance to run in the Kids Race, an 800-meter course where they’ll cross the finish line, earn a medal and feel like part of the action.

Fundraising Perks

To encourage fundraising efforts, participants, individuals and teams can win exciting prizes:

  • Top Fundraiser: Receives a head-to-toe UA kit valued at $500 and a complimentary entry into the 2026 Under Armour Toronto 10K.
  • 2nd & 3rd Place Fundraisers: Each receives UA Infinite Elite 2 Running shoes and a complimentary 2026 race entry.
  • Top Fundraising Team: Each member (up to 20) gets a UA Hustle Sport Backpack and a complimentary 2026 race entry.

Fundraising closes on June 30th, 2025, “Top Team” and “Top 3 Fundraisers” will be determined on June 13th at 5 p.m. based on online fundraising pages only.   

When you lace up for this year’s 10K, remember you’re not just chasing your own dreams, you’re helping children get on the field, the court, or the ice to chase theirs.

For more information, to donate, or to get involved, visit the official fundraising page.

Breaking Barriers: Canada Running Series Adds Wheelchair Division to Major Races

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Breaking Barriers: Canada Running Series Adds Wheelchair Division to Major Races 

Canada Running Series (CRS) has taken a major step forward in championing inclusivity and accessibility in road racing by introducing a wheelchair division to three of its marquee events: the Vancouver Half Marathon, the Under Armour Toronto 10K, and the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. This expansion underscores CRS’s commitment to ensuring that athletes of all abilities have equal opportunity to participate and compete. By making these races more accessible, CRS is helping to create a more inclusive environment where adaptive athletes can thrive alongside their able-bodied peers.

The addition of the wheelchair division is not just a change in format—it’s a meaningful opportunity for connection, achievement, and growth within the running community. Longtime CRS wheelchair racer and adaptive racing consultant Mike Greer shared, “Being part of an Adaptive Racing community, I love to welcome athletes who are new to the sport or are transitioning from being an able-bodied runner to one of the many adaptive racing disciplines and help them on their journey. The running community as a whole is very supportive of athletes with disabilities, and makes it one of the main reasons I love road racing.” Greer’s experience highlights the welcoming nature of the organization to adaptive athletes and the essential role it plays in fostering a strong, united community.  

Beyond the wheelchair division, these races also offer an Athletes with a Disability (AWD) program to support the participation of athletes with varying needs. The program offers a dedicated space at the race venue for AWD participants, a free GUIDE bib program, and volunteers to support athletes’ journey to the start line and post-race experience. The AWD program allows further participation and collaboration with organizations like Achilles Canada, a non-profit that provides people with various disabilities an opportunity to benefit from the physical, psychological, and community benefits of running. “We are thrilled to see Canada Running Series doing what they can to make all their races accessible and inclusive to all athletes with disability including the new wheelchair division for this year’s Under Armour Toronto 10K” noted Brian McLean, president of Achilles Canada.  

Paralympian Josh Cassidy has raced with the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon for the past three years, supporting the event as it grows its adaptive racing program. Josh reflected on the significance of this development: “For years I lived in Toronto, and watched the runners go by my condo every year during the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. It has been so great to finally have a wheelchair division. It has been such a fun and special experience these last few years to race on the streets of the city I love, seeing familiar faces… an experience that is accessible to everyone!” As CRS continues to break down barriers in the sport, stories like Greer’s and Cassidy’s demonstrate the transformative power of inclusive racing—where every athlete, regardless of ability, has the chance to feel the joy of the finish line. 

Register for the Under Armour Toronto 10K Register for the Vancouver Half Marathon Register for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

CANADA RUNNING SERIES TO HOST UNDER ARMOUR TORONTO 10K ALONG BEAUTIFUL LAKESHORE THIS WEEKEND

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CANADA RUNNING SERIES TO HOST UNDER ARMOUR TORONTO 10K ALONG BEAUTIFUL LAKESHORE THIS WEEKEND

TORONTO, ON (JUNE 12, 2024) – Canada Running Series (CRS) is excited to announce that the annual Under Armour Toronto 10K will take place on Saturday, June 15th along the scenic Toronto Lakeshore, one of the signature events of Canada’s road running calendar. 

The Toronto waterfront is the perfect backdrop for this Father’s Day weekend event, offering an inspired experience for amateur and competitive runners, walkers and adaptive racers alike. A sold out crowd of over 7,500 participants ages 8 through 80 will toe the start line on Lakeshore Boulevard from Ellis Avenue to Remembrance Drive and back. They will represent 11 Canadian provinces and territories, 18 American states and 20 countries. 

What makes the Under Armour Toronto 10K unique is its expert course layout and event planning, designed by feedback from the local Toronto running community and run clubs. Many of those clubs will be supporting participants across eight cheer sites hosted by Black Runners of the GTA, Frontrunners, Chix Run the Six, We Run North York, Rogue Runners, Culture, Kardia and Midnight Runners. Cheers will be even louder for those running to raise $35,000 for KidSport Canada, a not-for-profit organization that helps remove financial barriers that prevent kids from playing sport by providing assistance for registration fees and sport equipment to children aged 18 and under.

This year’s Under Armour Toronto 10K race will also serve as the Canadian Masters Athletics (CMA) 10K Championships, with medals for the top 3 male and female CMA finishers. Up front, it promises a thrilling men’s race with British Columbia’s Andrew Davies taking on Ontario’s Lee Wesselius, Phil Parrot-Migas and Kyle Grieve, plus JP Flavin from Michigan’s Hansons Project, all of whom are hovering at or below 29-minute personal bests for the 10K distance.  The women’s contest will be no less exciting with all 3 of last year’s top finishers returning to battle it out again: defending champion Erin Mawhinney from Hamillton, Ottawa’s Salome Nyirarukundo, and Huron County’s Rachel Hannah.   

Whether it’s your first race, or you’re a racing veteran, the Under Armour Toronto 10K offers a beautiful, scenic, and accessible course. Much more than just a race, it underscores Canada Running Series’ commitment to diversity, inclusion and sustainability. There will be a dedicated Adaptive Athlete start at 7:25 a.m. for wheelchair participants before the mass start at 7:30 a.m., which will include a non-binary category as well as male and female gender choices. There will also be a separate 800m Kids Race for children aged 2-10, and new this year is the Green Bib program where participants choose not to receive a t-shirt and finishers’ medal in return for a portion of their entry fee being donated to a sustainability charity.

With a beautiful course and picturesque scenery, the Under Armour Toronto 10K is the event for everyone and promises to be an unforgettable experience. 

 

Details of the race day schedule are as follows:

Media Check-in & Availability

Located at the VIP tent in “Race Central” (Parking Lot 852 in Exhibition Place)

Open as of 6:50 a.m. 

Photos and brief interviews are available at the finish line for the media. If you are interested in setting up an interview, please email media@canadarunningseries.com.

 

Race and Event Times

7:25 a.m. 10K Adaptive Athlete Start 

(Start Line located on Lake Shore Blvd. W, west of Ontario Dr.)

7:30 a.m. 10K start 

(Start line located on Lake Shore Blvd. W, west of Ontario Dr.)

8:45 a.m.         Podium ceremony announcing race winners and top fundraisers 

(Main stage located in Race Central, Parking Lot 852 in Exhibition Place )

9:10 a.m. 10K final finish 

(Finish line located on Lake Shore Blvd. W, west of Newfoundland Rd.)

9:45 a.m. Kids Race start 

(Start line located on Lake Shore Blvd. W, west of Ontario Dr.)

The following area of Lakeshore Blvd. W will be closed temporarily to accommodate the Under Armour Toronto 10K on Saturday, June 15, 2024 between 4:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.:

  • Lake Shore Blvd. West from Windermere Ave. to Bathurst St.
  • Strachan Ave. from Lake Shore Blvd. West to Fleet St.
  • Fort York Blvd. from Lake Shore Blvd. West to Fleet St.

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ABOUT CANADA RUNNING SERIES (CRS) 

Canada Running Series is the nation’s premier running circuit with 7 events, 4 in Toronto, 2 in Vancouver and 1 in Montreal. It annually attracts over 70,000 participants and raises more than $6 million for some 320 Canadian and local charities. The Under Armour Toronto 10K is the second Toronto race of the Series, which concludes with the World Athletics Elite Label TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championships. Since 1999, CRS has gained international recognition for innovation and organization. To learn more about CRS, visit https://canadarunningseries.com/.

 

Media Contact

Emma Hunt, Sutherland Corp. 

media@canadarunningseries.com

416-708-9612