Beloved Canadian Olympic Coach Hugh Cameron Has Passed

By | Community Leaders, Elite Athletes | No Comments

By Paul Gains

One of Canada’s most successful distance running coaches Hugh Cameron passed away October 20th at the Amica Little Lake Retirement Home in Barrie, Ontario. He was 80.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years Nancy, three sons Mark, Rob and Paul and five grandchildren.

As the founder of both the Etobicoke Huskies and Newmarket Huskies track clubs, he was responsible for the development of literally hundreds of Canada’s most celebrated club runners, several of whom went on to represent this country at major international games. 

David Edge earned the silver medal for Canada at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh running a personal best of 2:11:08. He struggles to find adequate words to describe the relationship he had with Cameron. 

“I came from England and when you were in a race you were in a race not to hold hands but to win,” says Edge who also finished 6th at the 1983 Boston Marathon.  “That didn’t go over too well in Toronto. I wasn’t the most liked athlete but Hugh dealt with it. He guided me. In simpler terms, I owe so much to Hugh Cameron.”

Edge also represented Canada at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles along with another of Cameron’s charges, Sylvia Ruegger, who finished 8th in the inaugural women’s Olympic marathon. That is still the best performance by a Canadian woman in the Olympic marathon. 

Prior to their departure for Los Angeles, Cameron, who was also the Olympic marathon coach for those Games, hand-delivered fliers to all the residents along the club’s favourite training circuit in Etobicoke inviting them to view their final training session. Onlookers turned out to wish the pair well.

It was a typical gesture by Cameron who never took a penny for coaching. And he never appeared to favour one athlete’s performance over another. Ruegger went on to set a national marathon record of 2:28:36 which stood for 28 years.

Although Ruegger and Edge were internationally associated with Cameron, his first successful marathoner was Mike Dyon who, in his debut at the 1977 National Capital Marathon in Ottawa, emerged victorious with a time of 2:18:05.

“I was really the guinea pig because we did a 28 mile run three weeks before Ottawa on hills along Weston road,” Dyon remembers. “We didn’t know any better. He said ‘let’s just practice.’ I think we ran 2:34 or so for the marathon and he said ‘you are ready’.

Dyon eventually won Ottawa three times, lowered his personal best to 2:14:28 and would finish 9th in the 1982 Commonwealth Games for Canada. As Cameron’s health deteriorated Dyon’s commitment to his friend and mentor never wavered. He would bring books for Cameron’s wife Nancy to read to her husband. 

Born in Lethbridge, Alberta, Cameron worked for Kodak for 32 years mostly as Director of Human Resources. He helped Dyon obtain a summer job there. Moreover, the athletes were recipients of his extraordinary interpersonal skills.

Alison Wiley, who in 1983 earned the silver medal at the World Cross Country Championships and followed that up with an NCAA 3,000m title for Stanford University, sought Cameron upon her return to Toronto following graduation. She turned out to every club practice while working as a brand manager for Cadbury’s. Cameron’s support during this transitional period was strong.

‘I think he also probably sensed I was doing well in my career and moving up and he really fostered that,” Wiley reveals. “He knew me. He was helping me to be the best person I could be recognizing you were not always going to run at this intense level. 

“It was an interesting phase of my life and he was right there helping to shape it. I had an amazing father – and my mum and dad were great – they provided a loving home, a supportive home but I never had those conversations with my dad. They were with Hugh Cameron. Because he could relate the athlete to the business woman outside the track.”

Wiley became emotional remembering Cameron’s kindness to her and her family when her brother, also named Hugh, suffered an accident which left him paraplegic. 

“Hugh knew my brother but he never coached him,” she recalls, “ he would send him emails or call him. He would include him. Who does that? Once again such a deep thoughtful caring individual . My brothers pain was his pain, was my pain. He reached out to people and that is really a beautiful trait.”

Among the athletes closest to Cameron was Dave Reid who remembers taking public transit to an Etobicoke Huskies workout one September night in 1975. Being a shy 12 year old, he watched the group from a distance then got on the bus and went home. After his father asked if he was going back for the next session he reluctantly agreed. From there the pair would forge an incredible relationship strengthened further when the Cameron family moved into the same neighbourhood. 

Reid would go on to set a Canadian interscholastic 1,500m record of 3:45.78  when he was in high school. Under Cameron’s tutelage he continued to improve representing Canada at three world cross country championships as well as the 1983 world athletics championships in Helsinki. In 1987, Reid set a Canadian senior 1,500m record of 3:37.84.

“He was coach of the Canadian team for the 1982 world cross country championships in Rome when I was a junior,” Reid recounts. “He had gone to every single athlete’s family and asked them to write letters to the athletes so they could open them up every day when they were in Rome. It was so they would feel comfortable and relaxed. Who does that?”

Reid would spend lots of time with Cameron’s family because of their close proximity. And when Reid hung up his racing shoes he got his start in coaching alongside Cameron. 

Coaching came naturally to Hugh Cameron according to his wife, Nancy, who said that besides coaching at Lakehead University in his 20’s, the seeds for a coaching career were sown much earlier. There was an oval in front of his house and he would organize races for kids.

“Hugh didn’t talk about his job at home,” she explains. “Sometimes I wish he had so I could share more in that. But I think he felt he wanted to maintain space between his job, his coaching and family.”

With a laugh she adds, ”I used to tease him that if I wasn’t also a runner he would be divorced.” 

Nancy is organizing a celebration of life at Northwest Barrie United Church November 18th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimers Society or organization close to your heart in Hugh’s honour.

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Thomas Broatch and Andrea Seccafien blaze to the finish at the 10th Anniversary of the Under Armour Eastside 10K

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Over $36,000 has been raised for local charities that support Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

VANCOUVER, September 24, 2023 — The sun shone down this morning as Canada Running Series (CRS) celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Under Armour Eastside 10K, alongside nearly 3000 participants. There was a glow about this race as Thomas Broatch blazed to a 30:02 finish. Canadian Olympian Andrea Seccafien led the way on the women’s side with a finish time of 34:16.

“It’s my favourite day of the year,” said Ryan Chilibeck, Race Director at Canada Running Series. “Seeing the Vancouver run community rally around this race each year, it really means a lot to our team at CRS and our amazing charity partners. I only wish I could run it myself. The energy is electric”.

With over 2800 participants toeing the line today, we also saw 152 moving with us virtually. This race treats runners to a route that is unlike other Vancouver races, touring the runners through a historic and industrial course, in Gastown and Strathcona.

The men’s field played it tight this morning, opting to run as a pack for most of the race. Vancouver’s Broatch broke away at about 8K with Alex Drover, taking turns in the lead before Broatch made his final push. This 10K race is renowned for its grueling “Kill the Hill” segment, an 800m incline push that tests the fitness of runners. “My favourite moment of the race was the downhill. I ran this course last year and was so happy to make it back,” Broatch commented, all hills considered. He is hoping to carry the momentum from this win to his marathon debut at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon in October.

It was an amazing finish in the women’s race with Andrea Seccafien and Glynis Sim battling it out to the finish line, finishing in 34:16 and 34:19 respectively. Vancouver’s own Samantha Jory rounded out the top three, crossing the finish line at 34:42. It was great to see Andrea competing today after relocating to Portland to run with the Bowerman Track Club. With her eyes on the Paris 2024 Olympics, this win should give her some confidence as she looks to qualify for Team Canada.

The 2023 Under Armour Eastside 10K raised over $36,000 this year, which brings our fundraising total to over $250,000 since the races inception. This race is a dedication to the community in the Downtown Eastside and we’re grateful for the continued partnership with local charities: Urban Native Youth Association, Downtown Women’s Eastside Centre, Kids Sport BC, and PHS Community Services Society.

Men’s Winners:
1. Thomas Broatch (30:02)
2. Alex Drover (30:12)
3. Trevor Hofbauer (30:18)
4. Mitch De Lange (30:19)
5. Ryan Tyrell (30:23)

Women’s Winners:
1. Andrea Seccafien (34:16)
2. Glynis Sim (34:19)
3. Samantha Jory (34:42)
4. Kiana Gibson (34:55)
5. Leslie Sexton (35:09)

For more information about the Under Armour Eastside 10K, please visit the website: eastside10k.ca.

Announcing the Elite Field for the 2023 Under Armour Eastside 10K

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Women’s Start List

Bib Number First Name Last Name City Province
F-1 Andrea Seccafien Guelph ON
F-2 Leslie Sexton Vancouver BC
F-3 Dayna Pidhoresky Vancouver BC
F-4 Samantha  Jory Vancouver BC
F-5 Glynis Sim Vancouver  BC
F-6 Kiana Gibson Vancouver BC
F-7 Katrina Sutton-Allison North Vancouver BC
F-8 Andrea Lee North Vancouver BC
F-9 Keila Stark Vancouver BC
F-10 Katherine Watson Vancouver BC
F-11 Charlotte Browning Burnaby BC
F-12 Megan Crocker Whistler  BC
F-13 Kathleen  Saxon  Edmonton  AB
F-14 Maria Sang Surrey BC
F-15 Rozlyn Boutin Vancouver  BC
F-16 Katrina Lim Burnaby BC
F-19 Carley Gering Victoria BC
F-20 Eriko Soma Vancouver BC

Men’s Start List

Bib Number First Name Last Name City Province
M-1 Trevor Hofbauer Kelowna BC
M-3 Thomas Broatch Vancouver BC
M-4 Brendan Wong Coquitlam BC
M-5 Matthew  Hope Edmonton AB
M-6 Tyler  Dozzi Vancouver BC
M-7 Alexandre Ricard Squamish BC
M-8 Daniel Molushet Zewdu Victoria BC
M-9 Yemane Mulugeta Surrey BC
M-10 Evan Elder Vancouver BC
M-11 Kevin Friesen Port Coquitlam BC
M-12 Ryan Tyrell Hamilton ON
M-13 James Hoad London UK
M-14 Mitch  de Lange Thornton ON
M-15 Cole Dinsdale Burnaby BC
M-16 Alex Drover Calgary AB
M-17 Logan Arthur Edmonton  AB
M-18 Christian Gravel Vancouver  BC
M-19 Nicolas Jirot Abbotsford  BC
M-20 Julian Meyer Vancouver BC
M-21 Mark Klassen Mission BC
M-22 Riley Stuermer St. Albert AB
M-23 James Lamers Vancouver BC
M-24 Sam Wensink Langley BC
M-25 Ron  Loewen Surrey BC
M-26 Kyle Kimura Vancouver BC
M-27 Adam Buzinsky Vancouver BC
M-28 Michael Barber Victoria BC
M-29 Carlos Lesser Vancouver BC
M-30 Andrew Geiger Vancouver BC
M-31 Matt Melnik Delta BC
M-33 Nikolai Gauer Vancouver BC
M-34 Gus Amundson  Vancouver BC
M-35 Aryou Manouis Edmonton AB
M-36 Fernando  Medina Mossley ON
M-37 Evan Dunfee Richmond BC
M-38 Aven Kifle Surrey BC

Choosing the right footwear: training shoes vs. race day shoes

By | Eastside 10k, General, Run Gear, Training Tips, Uncategorised | No Comments

As the sun rises on race day, every runner knows that their choice of footwear can make or break their race. The battle between training shoes and race day shoes is a critical decision.

Training shoes are like a reliable companion. These are the shoes that accompany you through your daily preparation for race day. These shoes are designed for durability and support during long training sessions. The UA HOVR™ Machina 3 Clone Running Shoes are built tough for your longest runs, providing extra springy UA HOVR™ cushioning in the toes to help you explode through every step.

The technology within this shoe supports your training from day one. The UA Clone auxetic upper stretches and adapts to your foot shape and stride for a custom 1:1 fit. The responsive UA HOVR™ cushioning reduces impact and returns energy to propel you forward. With a combination of carbon rubber and blown rubber in the outsole that provides strategic durability and a lightweight rebound.

During your preparation for the Under Armour Eastside 10K race, your training shoes are your go-to companions, delivering the necessary support and comfort for your daily runs and helping to prevent injuries leading up to the big day.

When race day arrives, it’s time to introduce the race day shoes. Race day shoes prioritize minimalism, so you can put your training to the test. These shoes are designed for speed and breaking personal records. These shoes are often more lightweight compared to training shoes. Their reduced weight helps to conserve energy and support acceleration throughout the race.

The UA Flow Velociti Elite Running Shoes and UA Velociti 3 Running Shoes were built for speed. The Flow technology eliminates the rubber outsole, creating a more lightweight and seamless ride on any surface, while the sock liner creates enhanced resiliency and bounce with every stride.

If you have the goal of finishing the race, then stick with what you know. Your training shoes will provide the support needed for longer distances.

If a personal record is your goal, then as race day approaches, consider incorporating your race day shoes into your runs. This helps your body adapt to the feel of different shoes, so on race day you will be ready to go all out.

In the end, the choice between training shoes and race day shoes ultimately depends on your goals, and which will help you conquer the course to reach your personal finish line.

HOKA joins the 2023 Oasis ZooRun as official Footwear & Apparel Partner

By | Oasis ZooRun | No Comments

TORONTO, CAN (July 11, 2023) – HOKA and Canada Running Series (CRS) are excited to announce a partnership between the two brands today, as the popular shoe brand becomes the official footwear and apparel partner of the 2023 Oasis ZooRun. The new deal will see HOKA bring their signature shoes and new, exciting activations to the Toronto Zoo this fall, including unique shirts for over 800 kids in the popular (and now sold-out) CubRun events.

“HOKA Canada is committed to building our Canadian community – not just amongst marathoners, trail and core runners, which is where our brand found its roots, but amongst those who find joy in movement,” said Chelsea Cardoso, brand manager for HOKA Canada.  “There is a sense of empowerment and elation that comes with having the ability and privilege to move our bodies, however we choose to do so. This year, as HOKA Canada enters its first year of partnership with the ZooRun, we’re hoping to empower our youngest movers as we launch our new collection of youth footwear and expand our community to include the run leaders of our future.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to have HOKA’s support on one of the most fun, unique events in our Series,” said CRS National Event Director Charlotte Brookes. “Their commitment to building community and empowering younger runners makes them a perfect partner for this race. We’re thrilled to see what we can build together to elevate the event experience this year!”

Since 2003, the Oasis ZooRun has hosted over 5,000 adults and over 1,000 children & youth annually across 10km, 5km, 800m and 400m distances, with all participants running & walking through the paths of the Toronto Zoo. Registration for the Oasis ZooRun 10K, 5K and CubRun is open now, with limited spots remaining.

 

For more information on Canada Running Series events, please visit https://www.canadarunningseries.com/.

For more information on HOKA Canada, please visit https://www.hoka.com/en/ca/.

 

For press inquiries please contact:

Canada Running Series: Kelly Dekoning|kelly@canadarunningseries.com | 289.700.2435

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About Canada Running Series

Canada Running Series is the nation’s premier running circuit with seven events: four in Toronto, two in Vancouver and one in Montreal. It annually attracts over 70,000 participants and raises more than $6 million for some 320 mostly local charities. The Series includes 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. We are passionately committed to staging great experiences for runners of all levels, from Canadian Olympians and international stars to healthy lifestyle people and charity runners, and to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process. Our mission is “building community through the sport of running.”

The Vancouver Half Marathon Draws Over 4600 and Earns $300,000 for Charity

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VANCOUVER (June 25, 2023) — “Tough and beautiful” was the consensus for the 25th edition of the Vancouver Half Marathon and 5K, as more than 4,600 participants toed the line on a picture-perfect Pacific North West morning. Runners and walkers were drawn from 9 Canadian provinces and the Yukon Territory, 18 American states and 29 countries worldwide to test their fitness on one of North America’s most scenic courses that plunged from UBC down through Kitsilano. Event #4 in the Canada Running Series (CRS), the 21.1K doubled as the 2023 BC Half Marathon Championships and was part of the prestigious, new Athletics Canada Road Race Series.

Vancouver’s Thomas Nobbs (1:05:16) dominated the men’s field to cross the line more than two minutes ahead of the rest; while Scotland’s Sarah Inglis (1:15:34) held off defending champion Samantha Jory to claim the women’s winning crown. Behind them over 350 participants raised $300,000 for 29 important charities in the Charity Challenge. 

“Incredible day. It never gets old seeing my community, charity runners and everyone in-between run through Vancouver,” said Ryan Chilibeck, Race Director at Canada Running Series West. “The weather, plus everyone’s energy made for a spectacular day of racing with the West Coast’s finest scenery as a backdrop.”   

Rising star Thomas Nobbs got things over early as he broke from a lead pack of six around the 3km mark. By 5km (15:28) he had opened a 15 second gap and cruised down Spanish Banks and Point Grey to the finish in Kitsilano. Kevin Friesen (1:07:33) was the best of the rest, with Coquitlam’s Brendan Wong (1:07:35) just two seconds back in third. Nobbs, Wong, and Josh Kozelj claimed bronze, silver and gold in the BC Championships.  

Last year’s women’s champion Samantha Jory (1:15:51) battled Inglis all the way to the finish line at Museum of Vancouver coming in 17 seconds behind Inglis. Her overall feeling? “It was tough” but she loves this course. The BC Women’s Half Marathon medalists were Inglis, Jory and Julia Hawkins (1:19:26).  

Canada’s Olympic bronze medalist race walker Evan Dunfee (1:25:57) used the event as a final test of fitness before heading to altitude camp in Saint Moritz, hot weather camp in Barcelona and then the World Championships in Budapest in August. “It was ideal race day weather” said Dunfee but unlike the runners, he “enjoyed the uphill more than the down(hill)”. The heat came out to play but runners kept it cool as they cruised through this morning’s race. 

There were smiles all round as this year’s 29 charity partners took home more than $300,000 to benefit many corners of the community throughout the year ahead. Cassie and Friends ($53,534.15) claimed an extra $2500 as top fundraising team. David Porte led the charge in fundraising and collected $41,542.07.

Canada Running Series returns with the Under Armour Eastside 10K on September 24th with online registration now open at: https://canadarunningseries.com/vancouver-eastside-10k/   

For complete results, photos and further information: vancouverhalf.com 

Men’s Half Marathon Winners:  

  1. Thomas Nobbs (1:05:16) 
  2. Kevin Friesen (1:07:33) 
  3. Brendan Wong (1:07:35) 
Women’s Half Marathon Winners:  

  1. Sarah Inglis (1:15:34) 
  2. Samantha Jory (1:15:31) 
  3. Emily Andrews (1:19:26) 
Men’s 5K Winners: 

  1. Jordan Wilson (16:17) 
  2. Jeremie Queriel (16:27) 
  3. Nikolai Gauer (16:47) 
Women’s 5K Winners:  

  1. Amber Lam (17:06) 
  2. Jouen Chang (17:36) 
  3. Krysta Boyer (18:19) 

Woodfine and Mawhinney Victorious at Under Armour Toronto 10K by Paul Gains  

By | Toronto Waterfront 10K | No Comments

TORONTO (June 17, 2023) — Tristan Woodfine and Erin Mawhinney put on convincing displays of front running today as they won the Under Armour Toronto 10K in warm and breezy conditions.  

Woodfine, the resident of Eganville, Ontario recorded an outstanding time of 29:12 – just six seconds off his personal best – to easily capture this Canada Running Series race that also doubled as part of the prestigious, new Athletics Canada Road Race Series. His nearest competitor was Dylan Alick who finished in 29:49 – the first time he has dipped under 30 minutes for the distance.  

Woodfine, who achieved the 2020 Olympic marathon standard only to be bumped from a potential position on the Canadian team, was delighted with the result.  

I am really pleased to be solo and do a good hard effort, and, to come away with 29:12 is a great place to be,he said while being monitored by a doping control officer. We are on the right track for sure for a good marathon race this fall.”  

It was an early birthday present for the graduate of the Ontario College of Health and Technology. He turns 30 tomorrow. His performance went more or less as planned.  

About 2K there was one guy behind me and then I kind of made a bit of a surge going downhill and it was solo from there,he revealed adding the wind was a factor.  

It was a headwind on the way out for 3.6K then we turned around and it was all tail wind until about 9K then you turn around. So, it was basically get to 3.5K and you will get a nice boost on the wayand try and hammer that section with the tail wind. After that you can just suffer to the finish line. I couldnt see anyone or hear anyone, so I kept my foot on the gas and kept going.”  

He passed 5K in 14:35 about 18 seconds ahead of Alick, and the eventual 3rd place finisher, Rob Kanko (30:02), and added to that gap throughout the remainder of the race.  

Alick was equally pleased with his new personal best, especially since he has been dividing his time between training and academic work. He will graduate from McMaster University in August with a Master’s in Engineering.  

Most of the guys on our team are in engineering. Time management is important,he said laughing.  

I was happy as my goal today was to go sub 30 and this was my first time breaking it, so I am happy. I raced (Woodfine) at the Canadian Championship in Ottawa and he is a very accomplished runner. I tried to stick with him as long as possible, but he made a good move at 3K.”  

Woodfine turned to two-time Canadian Olympian Reid Coolsaet for coaching help almost a year ago and among the other members of ‘Coolsaet Go’ team competing here today was Erin Mawhinney of Hamilton who scored herself both a victory and a new personal best of 33:34 for the 10K. She also ran from the front.  

I got out into the lead early and hoped I could hang on to it,she said through an enormous smile. There was a bunch of really fast girls and so I sort of peeked at the turnarounds to see how far ahead I was. Salome and Rachel were behind, and I tried to hold them off.”  

That was sort of my plan. I run a little bit better from the front and just try to hang on. This was only my second ever 10K. My first was the national championships two weeks ago in Ottawa which was disgustingly hot. So, this was a PB by a full minute.”  

Salome Nyirarukundo, who represented Rwanda at the 2016 Olympic Games before coming to Canada held off Rachel Hannah to take 2nd in 34:58 – eleven seconds ahead of the 2015 Pan Am Games marathon bronze medalist. This was her first race in several years.  

I am a resident of Ottawa. I was in Montreal in 2018 I won the marathon there in 2:28:02, which was my first marathon, and I ran the Ottawa marathon 2019,she revealed. Since then, I havent been running again. I am so happy for this race.”  

Honestly my expectation was to be in the top five but not top 3. For four years I have not run consistently. I started again this year. I am happy and I am very thankful for this organization to bring me back again for my first race.”  

The winners both complimented their coach, Reid Coosaet, who was all smiles after learning the results of his athletes.  

Amazing! And they ran fast too,he said while recovering himself from the efforts of his first road race in some time. A bunch of my athletes were really close to their PBs which was unexpected because it was a bit warm.”  

Asked how close he was to his PB he laughed: Four minutes!Coolsaet who has turned to trail running since retiring from the marathon finished second in the masters category in a time of 32:18. He has his sightsset on the Pikes Peak Ascent race in September.  

More than 6,000 runners turned out for the Under Armour Toronto 10K and enjoyed the camaraderie of one another. The out and back course which traverses the waterfront of Lake Ontario was a popular one with most.  

Announcing the Elite Field for the 2023 Vancouver Half Marathon

By | Elite Athletes, Vancouver Half Marathon | No Comments

Women’s Start List

Bib Number First Name Last Name City Province
F1 Samantha  Jory Vancouver BC
F3 Sarah Inglis Surrey  BC
F6 Kathleen Lawrence Toronto ON
F7 Katherine Watson Vancouver BC
F8 Alison Gill Vancouver BC
F9 Maria Sang Surrey BC
F10 Sarah Carter North Vancouver BC
F11 Jen Millar Victoria  BC
F12 Eriko Soma Vancouver BC
F13 Moeko  Sanada  Vancouver BC
29 Joan Chung Toronto ON

Men’s Start List

Bib Number First Name Last Name City Province
25 Thomas Nobbs Vancouver BC
2 Kevin Coffey  Kingston  ON 
3 Brendan Wong Coquitlam BC
4 Josh Kozelj Coquitlam BC
5 Derek Scott Vancouver  BC
6 Nicolas  Jirot  Abbotsford  BC
7 Adam Buzinsky Vancouver BC
8 Zac Labrie  Vancouver  BC
9 Ron  Loewen Surrey  BC
10 Imran Khoja Vancouver Bc
11 Drew  Nicholson Surrey BC
12 Gus Amundson  Vancouver BC
14 Graham Spry Vancouver  BC
15 Evan Dunfee Richmond BC
17 Jeremiah Ziak Vancouver  BC
18 David Morrissey Vancouver BC
22 Kris Butler Edmonton AB
24 Carlos Lesser Vancouver BC

Tristan Woodfine Favoured at the Under Armour Toronto 10K

By | Elite Athletes, Toronto Waterfront 10, Toronto Waterfront 10K | No Comments

by Paul Gains

Among the 6,500 runners expected for the 2023 Under Armour Toronto 10K (June 17th) – the third stop on the 2023 Canada Running Series – Tristan Woodfine is the favourite. It’s a situation with which he appears entirely comfortable.

Considering the ups and downs he has faced the past two years, clearly he is back in the form which saw him beat the 2020 Tokyo Olympic qualifying standard in the 2021 London Marathon (2:10:51) only to be bumped from a potential Canadian team spot at the eleventh hour when Cam Levins ran 37 seconds faster.

Last fall the 29-year old – he turns 30 the day after the Toronto race – set a personal best at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon with his 62:42 clocking and more recently a personal best in the Valencia 10km (29:06). In the latter race he felt prepared to go much faster.

“There was a huge pileup and a bunch of people went down,” he recalls. “Luckily, I didn’t go down but I got caught up with people having gone down. The first few hundred meters was a complete crap show.

“There was a big group of guys running under 29-minute pace. I was about 10 seconds back at the first kilometre and missed running with the group. It would have been perfect to be in that group. Nevertheless, it was still a PB and you can never be upset about that.”

Now he looks forward to a fast time in Toronto. Although he denies lingering emotional effects from the Olympic campaign – an appeal was denied by Athletics Canada – it must have been a catastrophic moment in his running career.

“It was very disappointing at the time,” says Woodfine. “It’s tough when it’s not as simple as in the US where the top three (from the trials) go. The subjective criteria make it tougher to handle because it’s not cut and dried. I got over it and used it as motivation to train hard. The last couple of years I have just been plagued by little problems physically. Emotionally things have been great.”

After completing his paramedic studies at the Ontario Health and Technology College he put his selected vocation on hold recognizing that the energy level required for long shifts as a paramedic was not conducive to his running career. Now he is earning money with an online coaching program. At present he has about a dozen clients.

“That has taken off the past couple of years. It’s nice,” he reveals. “You are helping people achieve their goals in running. It’s a nice complement to the training you need to do for a marathon.”

Woodfine credits two-time Canadian Olympic marathoner, Reid Coolsaet, with his improvements the past year. The pair had occasionally trained together in Guelph when Coolsaet was with Speed River Track Club.

“Yes we have been working together almost a year now. It has been great. He has so much knowledge and experience in the sport which is really helpful when you are trying to navigate qualifying for the Olympics,” Woodfine explains. “He’s been there and done that. I have had a half marathon PB and a 10k PB since working with him.”

As it happens Coolsaet will also be running the Under Armour Toronto 10K along with ten of his running clients including Woodfine.

Although he is focused on trail running and not the roads where he had so much success the now 43-year-old Hamilton resident has a booming coaching business which he calls ‘Coolsaet Go’ a play on the ‘ready, set, go’ mantra. Asked his expectations this Saturday he laughs.

“Probably the least expectation I have had of a race for years just because I haven’t done any workouts on the roads,” he replies laughing.

“All my efforts have been on the trails. And, I am just coming back from an injury and getting ready for upcoming trail races. I don’t really have a clue. I have been feeling pretty good the last few weeks – I would like to break 33 minutes.”

Coolsaet’s uncertainty sets up a potential challenge with 2015 Pan Am Games marathon bronze medalist, Rachel Hannah, who is keen to put behind her the disappointment of the recent national 10k championships in Ottawa. There she was clipped from behind and fell heavily to the pavement. That cost her almost a full week’s training.

“Potentially, I think a really good day would be 33 something,” Hannah says of her target. “That would be my ‘A’ goal. It would be awesome to run under 34.

“I am focusing more on the 10k distance because it does help my fall marathon. I will start another marathon build in July.”

Hannah, who set a new Glass City Marathon (Toledo) course record in April laughs at Coolsaet’s assertion he hopes to break 33 minutes. “Maybe Reid is underselling himself. I imagine he will run faster than that,” she says laughing.

In addition to her work as a dietician at the University of Guelph’s Health and Performance Centre – she commutes from her home in Port Elgin, Ontario once or twice a week preferring to work remotely – Hannah has been working at the McMaster University’s David Bradley Centre also.

Along with 5 Canadian titles to her credit at distances from 5k to the marathon Hannah, who recently became engaged, can point to a personal best 10k of 33:08 and 32:36.17 on the track.

This is the first year of Under Armour’s title partnership, following title partnerships of the Eastside 10K in Vancouver (2017 – present) and the Spring Run-Off in Toronto (2020 – 2022). The fast course along Toronto’s scenic waterfront is sure to provide the field with a fine opportunity for quick times.

For the complete start list, click here.

 

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About Canada Running Series

Canada Running Series is the nation’s premier running circuit with seven events: four in Toronto, two in Vancouver and one in Montreal. It annually attracts over 70,000 participants and raises more than $6 million for some 320 mostly local charities. The Series includes 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.

We are passionately committed to staging great experiences for runners of all levels, from Canadian Olympians and international stars to healthy lifestyle people and charity runners, and to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process. Our mission is “building community through the sport of running.” More info: https://canadarunningseries.com/

 

For media access on race day, please contact Bonnie Taylor at media@canadarunningseries.com or call 647-401-0974.

New, inclusive prizing to be introduced beginning with the 2023 Under Armour Toronto 10K

By | Elite Athletes, Toronto Waterfront 10, Toronto Waterfront 10K | No Comments

Canada Running Series is excited to announce the addition of new Open Prize categories at this year’s remaining events, beginning with the Under Armour Toronto 10K on June 17th, 2023. The events will be expanding cash prize eligibility to the Top 3 Men, Women and Non-Binary finishers. This prize money will be separate from the existing Canadian Men’s & Women’s prizing designated for elite athletes competing in the Athletics Canada Label races.

This is just the next step in an ongoing effort to make CRS events more inclusive experiences. In 2018, CRS began receiving feedback from participants looking for more inclusive gender options on registration forms.  In collaboration with Race Roster, MaxVO2, and The 519, we introduced two additional gender options for all CRS events – Non-binary and Prefer not to disclose – that were much more inclusive than the traditional Male & Female options.  

Since then, participants have been encouraged to participate as they identify when signing up for Canada Running Series events. Hundreds of events across the country and beyond have since enabled this same option on their Race Roster registration forms.  

In addition to being able to select more inclusive gender options, CRS also began providing Age Category prizing at all of our Canada Running Series events back in 2018 for the 3 gender categories awarding top 3 men, women and non-binary athletes in each 5-year age group. 

Additional awards and prizing details for Canada Running Series events can be found here.