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lululemon Archives - Canada Running Series

Jul 09 2019
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Chesoo and Wodak set new course records ahead of sold-out crowd of 7,000 at lululemon Edmonton 10K

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Edmonton’s Leonard Chesoo (29:28) and Vancouver’s Natasha Wodak (33:15) stormed to new course records in front of a sold-out crowd of 7,000 enthusiastic runners. It was a fine morning for running in the Alberta capital: 15 Celcius, overcast, and no wind. The scenic course, which took participants through the heart of the city and along the High Level Bridge, attracted Olympians and recreational runners from across the country and the U.S. In fact, “Guests from seven provinces, two territories, eleven states, and six (6!) countries traveled to Edmonton for today’s 10K. It was a world-wide running meetup and the energy was palpable! It was just a massive celebration of running and a healthy, mindful lifestyle.” said Alan Brookes, President, Canada Running Series. 

More than a run, the race was an experience; in addition to custom medals, a donut wall, free massages, DJ Joanna Magic, a lululemon pop-up shop and a post-race party zone, runners were also treated to two community yoga classes led by lululemon Global Yoga Ambassador, Ryan Leier. 

“This is a race to celebrate the city of Edmonton and all the fantastic people who choose to call it home,” says Natalie Westlake, Director, North America Community, lululemon. “Since its inception two years ago, the race has grown in popularity, this year selling out in 10 hours. Every runner gets to experience the city in a special way—whether it’s through running across the High Level Bridge, experiencing the sense of community at the post-race party, or celebrating the fact that we have raised more than $35,000 for our charitable partner Wellspring Edmonton.” 

With eight cheer stations along the route, the community extended beyond those wearing bibs. Hundreds of spectators cheered on runners along the course, shouting words of encouragement and waving motivational signs, with help from ivivva by lululemon cheerleaders, Kokopelli Choir and CycleBar. 

At press time, the lululemon Edmonton 10K had raised more than $35,000 for lululemon’s social impact program “Here To Be” and Edmonton-based charity, Wellspring Edmonton. 

In the second year of this increasingly popular event, both Chesoo and Wodak set new course records. Evan Esselink followed Chesoo in second place with a huge PB, and Canadian marathon record-holder, Cam Levins, out-sprinted defending champion Reid Coolsaet and London, Ontario’s Chris Balestrini for third, fourth, and fifth. Calgary Olympian, Jessica O’Connell was second in the women’s field, with Torontonian Gladys Tarus following in third. 

Defending champion, Reid Coolseat, was pleasantly surprised with his fourth-place finish saying, “I’m happy with my race considering how close this race came after the Ottawa marathon. It was good to kick it in with Cam even though he edged me out of the podium”. 

Women’s champ, Natasha Wodak, was also pleased with the win, “I was in front the whole way and thought Jess would be with me, but she held back,” she continued, “I’m in a bit of a relaxed part of my season and since the Vancouver Scotia half and will now start increasing intensity in preparation for the Pan Am Games 10,000m on August 6th.” 

After a spectacular day in the Alberta capital Canada Running Series will take a short summer hiatus before moving on to Vancouver for the Eastside 10K and Toronto for the Oasis Zoo Run in September. 

Edmonton 10K Results 

Men 

1. Leonard Chesoo, Edmonton – 29:28 

2. Evan Esselink, Guelph – 29:57 

3. Cameron Levins, Portland – 30:14 

4. Reid Coolsaet, Hamilton – 30:15 

5. Chris Balestrini, London – 30:15 

Women 

1. Natasha Wodak, North Vancouver – 33:15 

2. Jessica O’Connell, Calgary – 33:50 

3. Gladys Tarus, Toronto– 35:02 

4. Christy Lovig, Kelowna – 37:02 

5. Alecia Kallos, Edmonton – 37:05 

For full race results, visit: Edmonton10K.com 

Jun 18 2019
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The 2019 lululemon Edmonton 10K Elite Field

By | Edmonton 10k, Elite Athletes | No Comments

If you are planning to cheer on the runners at the lululemon Edmonton 10k race on July 7th, here are some of the names and bib numbers to watch out for!

In the men’s race, Reid Coolsaet will be back to defend his title against a very intriguing field. Favourites to knock Coolsaet from the winners circle will be Evan Esselink (the 2018 runner-up at the Edmonton 10K), Cameron Levins (current Canadian Marathon Champion & Record Holder), Rob Watson (lululemon Global Run Ambassador), Chris Balestini (recent runner-up at the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon), Bonsa Gonfa (runner up at the lululemon Toronto 10K) and Leonard Chesoo (ACAC Male Rookie of the Year).

For the women, watch out for Natasha Wodak to add to her recent Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon, Canadian 10K and 10,000m Championship wins from this year, Jess O’Connell (2016 Canadian Olympian from Calgary & Canadian 3000m record holder), Rosie Edwards (who runs out of Colorado) & Gladys Tarus (3rd place at the lululemon Toronto 10K). With some pretty tough competition coming from local Alberta runners and runners from across the country, it will be a race to watch!

Bib #First NameLast NameCityProv/State
1ReidCoolsaetHamiltonON
2CameronLevinsPortlandOR
3EvanEsselinkVancouverBC
5ChrisBalestriniLondonON
7RobWatsonVancouverBC
8LeonardChesooEdmontonAB
9AngusRawlingCalgaryAB
10KevinCoffeyVancouverBC
17GonfaBonsaTorontoON
11TrevorMacLeanEdmontonAB
18MatthewHopeRed DeerAB
12MichaelStewartEdmontonAB
13RichardReidEdmontonAB
14RileyStuermerSt. AlbertAB
15BrianYorkeEdmontonAB
16BrianTorranceEdmontonAB
Bib #First NameLast NameCityProv/State
F2NatashaWodakNorth VancouverBC
F17JessicaO'ConnellCalgaryAB
F3RosieEdwardsBoulderCO
F16GladysTarusTorontoON
F4MorganLawleyEdmontonAB
F5LisaStewartEdmontonAB
F6AleciaKallosEdmontonAB
F7TaylorCarlinEdmontonAB
F8KimberleyDoerksenVancouverBC
F9MadeleineCummingsEdmontonAB
F10VanessaTrofimenkoffEdmontonAB
F12ChristyLovigKelownaBC
F13ShariBoyleCalgaryAB
F15KathrynDurellEdmontonAB
Mar 16 2018
1

Canada Running Series partners with lululemon for Toronto Waterfront 10K and new Edmonton 10K

By | Toronto Waterfront 10K | No Comments

March 16, 2018 (Toronto) – For the second year in a row, Canada Running Series is delighted to partner with lululemon for the Toronto Waterfront 10K taking place on Saturday, June 16, 2018.

An exciting addition to the Canada Running Series race calendar, lululemon will also partner for the Edmonton 10K, a brand new race coming to Alberta’s capital on Sunday, July 22, 2018. Runners will cross the High Level Bridge, run along scenic Saskatchewan Drive through the tree lined streets of Windsor Park, back over the bridge, and finish with a party at Alberta Legislature Grounds.

Earlier this year, Canada Running Series announced the appointment of Ryan Chilibeck as Western Race Director. Ryan is thrilled to bring the Canada Running Series and lululemon experience to his hometown:

“I’m beyond excited that my first project with Canada Running Series will be a collaborative effort with lululemon to bring a high-calibre 10K road race to my hometown. We have been working hard to ensure that every detail of the event will showcase the absolute best of Edmonton. We want our guests to have an amazing race experience that is memorable for racers, spectators, volunteers, and our entire community. This city, and the amazing running culture within it, is a bit of a hidden gem so we’re grateful to create something we can all be proud of and make the Edmonton 10K a staple of the annual YEG racing calendar.”

Once again, lululemon will transform the race experience pre and post-race with highlights such as:

  • Complimentary Training Program: Participants will be able to take part in an 8-week training program in Toronto and Edmonton, led by run ambassadors at select lululemon stores.
  • Official lululemon Participant Shirts: As the official retailer and apparel partner of the event, lululemon will be providing a technical race shirt to all runners.
  • Complimentary Race Photos: All photos will be complimentary to download for runners this year. Runners can pre-register with Marathon-Photos to have their photos automatically uploaded to Facebook as they become available.
  • Enhanced Cheer Stations: Runners will be treated to unique, on-site cheer stations featuring local entertainment.
  • Post-Race Party: Runners and their families will be invited to a post-race party including a DJ, stretching and yoga, multiple vendors, food trucks and an overall really good time.

“We’re thrilled to share the news about the expansion of our all-Canadian partnership with lululemon,” said Canada Running Series Race Director, Alan Brookes. “We are both passionately committed to excellence, to innovation, and creating outstanding, meaningful running experiences. Together, I believe we can continue to transform the running space in our country and send good vibes across the planet.”

Registration for the Toronto Waterfront 10K will open on Friday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m. EST and those interested in participating are encouraged to register early as the race is capped at 8,500 runners.

Registration for the Edmonton 10K will open on Thursday, April 5 at 10:00 a.m. MST and will be capped at 5,000 runners.

Information and entry:

Toronto Waterfront 10K: http://toronto10k.com

Edmonton 10K: http://edmonton10k.com

About Canada Running Series

Canada Running Series is the nation’s premier running circuit with 8 events: 4 in Toronto, 2 in Vancouver 1 in Montreal and 1 in Edmonton. It annually attracts some 60,000 participants and raises more than $6 million for some 320 mostly-local charities. The Series includes the IAAF Gold Label Scotiabank 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.”

Contact:

Canada Running Series
Jenna Pettinato, Manager of Communications
416-944-2765, ext: 511
jenna@canadarunningseries.com

lululemon
Seema Dhillon, Canadian PR Manager
604-783-0324
sdhillon@lululemon.com

Nov 09 2017
0

Sexton and Woodfine Claim Canada Running Series Titles in banner year

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By Paul Gains.

A twisted ankle meant a late start to the racing season but after claiming the 2017 Canada Running Series overall title, Leslie Sexton isn’t complaining.

The 30-year old from London, Ontario finished with 164 points, earned from her two second place finishes in the Toronto Waterfront 10k and Under Armour Eastside 10k (Vancouver) and then her command performance at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon where she was first Canadian and fifth place overall in this IAAF Gold Label race.

On top of the individual race prize money, she collects $3000 for the overall title and was somewhat surprised with how things turned out.

“I sometimes forget about it as you are always focused on one race or what is coming up next,” she reveals. “But it is something my coach and I try to target at the start of the season.

“We try to pick three races in the Canada Running Series and then do the (necessary) one out of province, the Vancouver Eastside 10k. So it was always something we planned to do. It’s kind of in the back of your mind when you are performing at a single event.”

Winning the Athletics Canada Marathon Championship in a time of 2:35:47 was a fine end to the season but has her thinking ahead, while paying off debts accrued while pursuing her running career.

“It’s the first year in a couple of years that I haven’t got ‘Quest for Gold’ funding, the Ontario provisional funding,” she explains. “So I had to make the dollars stretch further and watch the expenses. I tried not to travel too much for competition and really just focused on stuff where I was staying in province, for the most part.

“So hopefully that will bring up some other opportunities – having a bit more money for that. I am probably looking at the Houston Half Marathon next. I am not sure what I will get from the race because I am going in there kind of late. But if I have to put some of my own money into that, it makes it an easier decision now.”

Runner-up this year was Olympian Natasha Wodak of Vancouver, who earns $1,500 from her 149 points. Master’s competitor Lioudmila Kortchaguina of Thornhill, Ontario was an impressive third with 108 points. That rewards her with a bonus $1,000.

The men’s overall title went to Tristan Woodfine from Speed River Track Club in Guelph who won the Race Roster Spring Run Off 8k in Toronto in April, then finished 4th in both the Toronto Waterfront 10k and the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon on back-to-back weekends in June. That earned him 116 points, twelve more than Toronto’s Sami Jibril who actually beat him at the Waterfront 10k.

Baghdad Rachem of Montreal finished 3rd with 70 points overall, and also won the Masters’ division with 120 points by virtue of being first Canadian Master at both the Toronto Waterfront 10k and the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

Woodfine was complimentary when speaking of his experience at the various Canada Running Series races.

“I wasn’t really planning on winning the overall title,” Woodfine says. “All (Race Director) Alan Brookes’ races are very well organized. and they provide a lot of support to the Canadian elite road runners. So doing his races is sort of a natural thing. That is why I ended up doing so many. It’s great to win the overall Series.”

With his focus, these days, on paramedic studies at the Ontario College of Health and Technology in Hamilton, the money will come in handy for tuition. He plans to return to the Ottawa Valley once he has graduated.

The Masters’ Women’s title was a tight contest between Vancouver’s Catherine Watkins and Lioudmila Kortchaguina, with Watkins triumphing in a battle of two outstanding 46-year-olds. The member of the BC Endurance Project finished with 150 points, just eight points more than her Ontario rival. Watkins’ performance at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 22nd proved the difference. She collected a perfect 60 points by winning the Canadian Masters’ marathon title there. “I am extremely happy to have been healthy and strong this year and to have been able to compete in, and win the masters competition in the Series,” said Watkins. “The Masters running scene is extremely strong now in Canada and it is fantastic that the CRS continues to support those of us who continue to compete as we get older.”

While Canada’s Olympians and top distance runners lit up the front end of CRS 2017, the Series enjoyed a banner year throughout. Every one of the seven races sold out, with overall participation up 10% to 57,170. New sponsors like lululemon, Under Armour and New Balance brought great activation and fresh excitement to the existing blue-chip partners, and total fundraising grew by 11% to a remarkable $5,963,944 – that’s an average of over $100 raised by our charity runners for every Series participant!

Online registration at the lowest, ‘Early Bird’ pricing is already open for the 2018 Banque Scotia 21k, 10k et 5k de Montreal, plus both 2018 Vancouver events: the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-marathon & 5k, and the Under Armour Eastside 10k. Most other events will open on Tuesday, November 21st, all at www.RunCRS.ca. You’re invited!

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