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Coolsaet dominates Acura 10-miler, Sexton surprise winner in women's race

TORONTO, July 11, 2010 — Guelph's Reid Coolsaet passed yet another test on his road to a fast fall marathon, cruising to an easy victory in the Acura 10-Miler, Sunday morning in Toronto's historic Distillery district.

Coolsaet crossed the line in 48:25, more than a minute ahead of his nearest competitor Tolassa Dadi, who finished in 49:35. Coolsaet's training partner, Josephat Ongeri of Burlington, finished third in 50:37.

Prior to the race, Coolsaet stated that his plan was to run at a consistent pace of 3:00/kilometre. He was very close to that target, and seemed pleased with the effort.

“It was good,” he said. “I was able to run that pace, and it didn't feel like I had to push [too hard].”

Coolsaet ran away from his competitors just after the halfway point of the 10-mile (16K) race. He dropped Ongeri at around 7K, then left Dadi behind at the 10K mark.

“After that, I was quite relaxed to the finish. It was like a hard tempo run out there. I'm right where I want to be with my training,” Coolsaet said.

Ongeri had been hoping to run alongside Coolsaet and challenge for the win, but he suffered a setback just before 10K.

“I twisted my ankle,” he explained. “I stepped on a rock. I stopped, and then I was just jogging.”

Ongeri sat with an ice pack on his foot for 30 minutes after the race. He was limping noticeably when he collected his prize at the awards ceremony.

Considering all that he went through, he was happy to finish the race without losing too much time.

Dadi, an Ethiopian runner who currently trains in Switzerland, happened to be in Toronto visiting a friend — so he decided to jump in the race.

“We have a mutual friend in Toronto,” Coolsaet said. “I joked that maybe I shouldn't tell him about this race!”

But for Coolsaet's sake, it worked out well. He collected $1,000 for first place, while Dada and Ongeri took home $600 and $400 respectively.

Sexton earns biggest win of career

The women's race produced a surprise winner, with Queen's University student Leslie Sexton taking the crown in 58:25, over former champion Nicole Stevenson of Toronto. Stevenson was second in 59:02, while Josiane Aboungono, the defending Canada Running Series champion, finished third in 1:00:41.

“It's the biggest [victory] yet for my career,” said the 23-year-old Sexton. “I've been All-Canadian in University running before, but this seems bigger.”

The top six finishers all received cash prizes (1st- $1,000, 2nd- $600, 3rd- $400, 4th- $300, 5th- $200, 6th- $100).

Competing in her first ever race at the 10-mile distance, Sexton went out conservatively, before seizing control near the 10K mark. That's when Sexton passed Stevenson, opening up a comfortable gap.

“I saw she was coming back to me, so I just tried to close that gap, and then when I caught her, I surged to get some distance between us.”

Stevenson, a former Canadian marathon champion, said she's not trying to get back to that level again. But she's happy that she's still fit enough to compete for prizes.

“I like winning, but it's great to see new talent coming up,” she said.

“I'm not red-lining anymore. I've been training for fitness, not for racing anymore,” said Stevenson, who acknowledged that her Achilles tendon will never quite be 100 per cent again.

While Stevenson put forth a strong performance on the race course, she was equally proud of the girls she coaches at the University of Toronto Track Club — including Jane Cullis, who won the women's 5K event.

“I really want us to be the dominant training group in Toronto.”

Aboungono, a fixture atop the Canadian running circuit, surprisingly failed to break the one-hour barrier. But it wasn't for a lack of fitness. The North York resident had simply raced too much in the past couple of weeks, having run the Scotiabank Half Marathon in Vancouver, and the Peachbud 10K in the past 14 days.

But nothing was going to keep her from running the Acura 10-Miler, one of the key events of the Canada Running Series.

“I have to defend my [series] title. And I'm going to do my best, no matter how tired I am,” Aboungono said.

The Acura 10-miler and 5K marked the first time that the “bibtag” technology was used at a Canadian race — a timing chip was implanted directly in the race number, rather than attached to the shoe or ankle strap.

The two races attracted about 3,000 runners of all levels, raising more than $20,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society. It's a mostly flat, out-and-back course — ideal for people preparing for September's Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon.

Running on the same course as the elite Olympic hopefuls is a source of inspiration for many of the recreational joggers.

“It's fantastic,” said Ron Steingold, who set a personal best in the 10 mile race. “The Kenyans [and other elites] are great. They're definitely doing something right with their lives, and these events bring the whole community together.”

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Acura 10-miler perfect tune up for fall marathon

TORONTO, July 11, 2010 — About 3,000 runners of all levels laced up their shoes and hit the pavement on Sunday for the Acura 10-miler and 5K in Toronto's historic Distillery district.

For many of the recreational and 'mid-pack' runners the 10-mile run was an ideal way to prepare for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Sept. 26.

“It definitely prepares you for running in the heat,” said Ron Steingold, who is getting ready to run his first marathon in September.

The Acura 10-miler is a flat, out-and-back course, similar to the terrain runners will traverse during the Scotiabank half or full marathon events. Running a 10 mile (16K) race is a key part of many marathon and half-marathon training plans, allowing the body to condition itself to run longer distances at a consistent pace.

“It's great practice for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon,” Suzanne Thibault said after completing the 10 mile run in about 90 minutes. “I'm glad I did it.”

The atmosphere of being in a road race was enough to convince Steingold to keep coming back to the various Canada Running Series events.

“The rush, the camaraderie...it's fantastic. We really understand what each other is going through out on the course,” Steingold said.

Rubbing shoulders with some of the top elite runners is also a major draw, he said.

“They're definitely doing something right with their life, and I love how it brings the community together.”

There were runners of all ages taking part in Sunday's 10 mile and 5K runs. Eleven-year-old Jordan Malek, of Richmond Hill, ran with his Mom, Shelley.

They didn't stay together for very long.

“She just rocketed away,” Jordan said with a smile. “But I made a few friends along the way. They paced me, and I paced them.”

Steingold said these kinds of stories inspire him to keep fit and stay running.

“I wish I would have started when I was younger. But I feel fortunate because not everyone can do this.”

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ACURA Toronto Ten Miler & 5K brings Mylaps BIBTAGS to Canada in run July 11th

Now there will be no more "No chip = no time", replaced by user-friendly "No bib = no time," as CRS brings latest technology to Canada.

TORONTO. July 2nd. Canada Running Series and Sportstats today announced that next weekend's ACURA Toronto Ten Miler & 5K will use Mylaps BIBTAGS for the first time in a major race in Canada. This latest technology was unveiled in New York last November. It places the transponder timing chip worn by each participant in the runner's bib number. This way it completely eliminates the need for separate pick-up of a separate chip that is to be attached to the shoe or ankle — and then given back at often-crowded finish lines. No longer will race information warn runners — "Remember your chip. No chip = no time!" Now runners will only need their bib number, something they've always pinned to the front of their shirts for generations. "No bib = no time."

"We're thrilled to be unveiling the Mylaps BIBTAGS at our next Canada Running Series event, the ACURA Toronto Ten Miler & 5K," says CRS Director, Alan Brookes. "Canada Running Series has always prided itself in being industry leaders and bringing the latest technology to Canada: from accurately measured courses in the 1980s to initial ChampionChip Timing in the 90s. Bibtags will make the race experience SO much easier and more enjoyable for all participants. No more lining up before the race to pick up a chip for your shoe. No more lining up in the finish chute to give it back. Re-deployment of dozens and dozens of volunteers previously assigned to these tasks. Hats off to our timing partners, Sportstats, for making this possible!"

The ACURA Toronto Ten Miler & 5K is the 6th event in the 2010 Canada Running Series, "A Selection of Canada's Best Runs," and will be run Sunday July 11th at 8:30am from The Distillery Historic District. The run is THE Official Tune Up for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon & Half, and will feature some of the marathon-bound stars like Guelph's Reid Coolsaet.

Online entry is still available until midnight, Tuesday, July 6th at www.canadarunningseries.com/torontoten/index.htm. In-person entries will be taken at the Commerce Court Running Room, during store hours on Friday 9th & Saturday 10th of July.

MORE about the Mylaps BIBTAG

November 2009

Launch of BibTag Timing System

The launch and demonstration of the new MYLAPS BibTag system at the New Yorker Hotel in NYC this past weekend created a big buzz among timers and race directors. The Kips Bay room of the New Yorker Hotel flooded with visitors from the Marathon Exhibition who wanted to see for themselves what the new BibTag system was all about.

Feedback from the timing world was overwhelmingly positive.

Race Directors were very excited about the new technology. We even had the first race director already committed to using the BibTag at an upcoming multi-thousand participant race in February.

Simplicity, efficiency and accuracy are the three most important factors to race directors when it comes to deciding on a timing solution for their race. The BibTag offers the highest simplicity and efficiency of any automatic timing solution at a very competitive price. With accuracy at and even above the level of the proven ChampionChip (LF) system, the BibTag revolutionizes the way the world times running races.

Timers especially liked the new modular mats. The new mats can be configured to their specific needs and set up anywhere from 2m to 16m wide timelines without interruption. The new system components, both the modular mats, as well as the new portable decoder, are lightweight, yet robust, and are easily transported or shipped from race to race.

 

But the biggest innovation is the BibTag itself.
The introduction of the bib-integrated timing tag — created the most excitement. It is clearly the solution the timing world has been asking for, for a long time. It allows for a more efficient registration process by significantly reducing the chip/tag handling before a race, while also eliminating any post race handling. By having the tag integrated in the bib, the BibTag's simplicity requires zero instructions to runners and ultimately leads to more accurate, reliable and complete results on race day.

And for the real "techies" here is a complete "BIBTAGS White Paper" on product testing, results and more...

http://newsletter.mylaps.com/Newsflash/BibTag/Whitepaper.pdf.

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Marathoner tunes up with 10-mile race

Jul 20/09: "I'd probably give myself a seven or eight (out of 10). The last few (kilometres) were tough, but I feel like I raced well." — DYLAN WYKES, in ACURA Toronto Ten Miler race report in KINGSTON Whig-Standard

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Kibet & Kortchaguina cruise to victory at Acura Toronto Ten Miler; Wykes a strong second. Danny Kassap wins 5K

TORONTO. July 19th, 2009. Kenyan Hosea Kibet cruised to a comfortable victory and a new course record of 48:01 at this morning's Acura Toronto Ten Miler — the Official Tune Up for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Kingston's Dylan Wykes turned in a bold and strong effort to take 2nd in 48:32, for his final tune up for the World Championships Marathon in Berlin on August 22nd, duelling it out with Kibet for almost 12km. Andrew Smith of the Brooks Marathon Project ran a more conservative, pre-Berlin outing, but came through well in the late stages to take 4th in 49:32. Burlington's Josephat Ongeri, who had been the winner of the only two previous editions of the Toronto Ten Miler, split the two Canadian Marathon Squad athletes for 3rd in 48:54.

Lioudmila Kortchaguina had a much easier time of things in winning the women's title in 59:00. Brantford's Krista DuChene, winner of this Spring's Mississauga Marathon, continued to show good form, coming home 2nd in 60:07, ahead of the reigning CRS champion, Josiane Aboungono [60:45]. One of the highlights of the day, however, was Danny Kassap's return to the racing scene after his near-fatal heart attack in the Berlin Marathon last September.

A record field of 2,618 in the combined Ten Miler and 5K [up 17% over 2008] started together under cloudy skies and un-seasonably cool temperatures around 16 degrees Celcius, at 8am from The Historic Distillery District in Downtown Toronto. Danny went straight to the front and pulled a lead pack of ten through the 1km mark in 2:57. When Kassap turned around at the 2.5km mark, Dylan Wykes moved to the front looking strong, hitting 3km in 8:51, with Ongeri, Kibet and Moses Macharia tucked in behind him.

By the time they crossed the Bailey Bridge in scenic Tommy Thompson Park around 7km, Ongeri and Kibet were forcing the pace. Wykes continued to battle Kibet, however, and pushed him all the way through the park. It was only as they exited the park around 12km, that Kibet managed to open up a little daylight between him and the fit Kingstonian. A fading Ongeri was another 30m back. From there it was cruise-control for the talented Kibet, who is spending the season based in Waterloo, where he is billeted with local runner Francis Coral-Mellon. Mellon met him last year in Africa and raised the funds necessary to bring him over. Kibet's comfortable victory in 48:01 underscored that his impressive 28:21 [3rd place] showing at the MDS Nordion 10K in Ottawa on May 23rd was no fluke.

Danny Kassap crossed the finish line on Front Street all smiles to win the 5K in 15:21, and indeed everyone on hand was thrilled to see him out racing, when there were doubts 9 months ago as to whether he would ever be able to run again. Ann Elford of Owen Sound took the Women's 5K in 19:59, and the Canadian Cancer Society were also much pleased on the morning, raising almost $15,000.

Full results and photos available at www.canadarunningseries.com/
torontoten/to10RESULT.htm.

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Giitah Macharia added to group of top Canadians at Acura Toronto Ten Miler tomorrow; Matt Loiselle scratches with bad cold

TORONTO. July 18th. Giitah Macharia is an excellent new addition for the Start List to tomorrow's Acura Toronto Ten Miler. It looks promising that the 29-year-old Macharia of Oakville will claim the 5th and final place on the Men's Marathon Squad going to the World Championships in Berlin on August 22nd.

Macharia, the Canada Running Series Men's Champ for 2004, 2005 and 2006, has worked hard to claim his place. A winner of the Canadian Championship in his marathon debut at Ottawa last May [2008] in 2:16:55, he struggled through the rest of last year. Determined, and with the encouragement of coach Steve Keating, he took himself to New Mexico for altitude training, at his own expense this Spring. He then went to the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon on June 28th to "prove fitness", and seemingly did so with a strong, focused, controlled performance of 65:35, good for 3rd place.

While Macharia, along with Tara Quinn-Smith and the others, must await final, official news on selections from Athletics Canada on July 27th, Giitah looks Berlin bound, and will definitely add to an exciting mix on the Start line for the Acura Toronto Ten Miler tomorrow. With Canadian teammates Dylan Wykes and Andrew Smith, they'll provide a good battle for the locally based Kenyan-Canadians like Josephat Ongeri and Kenyans Moses Macharia and David Karanja.

FINAL START List

FULL RESULTS will be posted immediately after the race tomorrow morning at www.canadarunningseries.com/torontoten/to10RESULT.htm.

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Acura Toronto Ten Miler the big "tune up" for Berlin World Championships as well as Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon — this Sunday, at The Distillery

TORONTO. July 13th. While almost 3,000 runners will be toeing the Start line for the Acura Toronto Ten Miler & 5K at The Distillery this Sunday to use it as their "Official Tune Up for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon", Dylan Wykes, Andrew Smith, and Tara Quinn-Smith will be using it as their final tune up before heading to Berlin to represent Canada at the World Championships Marathon on August 22nd.

Over the past 14 months, the Ottawa and Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathons have been involved in a unique partnership with Athletics Canada to jointly fund a Canadian team to the World Championships marathon — something that has not happened in almost a decade (see story here).

Ottawa in May 2008 and 2009, and Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront in September '08 served as "Trials" where athletes could strive to achieve the standards necessary to get them to Berlin. Andrew Smith, a 30 year old member of the Brooks Canada Marathon Project at High Park, Toronto, ran a debut of 2:19:58 at Ottawa '08, then followed it up with a 2:16:14 in Houston in January to make the standard. Dylan Wykes, now back living and training in his native Kingston after several years at Providence College, notched a 2:16:21 at Waterfront '08 last September, to make his mark. The 26-year old says:

"Berlin has been a goal of mine since training for the Waterfront Marathon last year. My preparations have been going very well and I've been running my highest-ever mileage this summer. I feel better prepared for Berlin than for my two previous marathons [Rotterdam and Toronto Waterfront]. It's a great opportunity, and my goals are to be competitive with many of the top marathoners from other countries. I'm realistic that at this early stage of my marathon career I am not ready to compete with the top African runners. But, I hope to be up there fighting for a top spot among marathoners from the USA, UK, and several other European countries.

"I'm also excited about competing in the Acura Toronto Ten on Sunday. I do not typically race a lot in the build-up to a marathon. So, this is going to be a great opportunity to lace up the racing flats and run a really hard effort. I am looking forward to getting out on the Leslie Spit again! I struggled on that stretch of the Waterfront Marathon course last fall. Hopefully I can redeem myself a bit out there on Sunday. I'm coming to race, not just a marathon pace trial."

Wykes and Smith will be at the core of a strong, competitive men's race at the Acura Toronto Ten Miler. Matt Loiselle, a 24-year old teammate of Smith's from the Brooks Canada Marathon Project and Josephat Ongeri, a Kenyan now living in Burlington, will be on the line, along with other Kenyans Moses Macharia and David Karanja, plus Montreal's Bagdad Rachem. Ongeri won last year's Ten Miler in 48:49, and then nipped Smith by 3 seconds at the Canadian Half Marathon Championships at Banque Scotia 21K de Montreal in April — 65:05 to 65:08 [a new PR for Smith]. But Loiselle soundly defeated them both, clocking an excellent 64:10 in Montreal to book his place at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Birmingham in October representing Canada.

The women's battle for spoils at the Acura Ten promises to be equally absorbing, with a good tussle expected between Canada's #1 and #2 ranked marathon women, Lioudmila Kortchaguina and Tara Quinn-Smith. Include last year's Canada Running Series champ, Josiane Aboungono of Milton, Mississauga Marathon winner Krista DuChene of Brantford, and St-Bruno, Quebec's Nathalie Goyer, a 3-time Quebec City and 3-time Mississauga Marathon winner who was dramatically passed in the final stages by DuChene this year, and some sparks could fly! Kortchaguina, who was almost written off with injuries last year, stormed back to form with a 2:30:43 in Houston in January, and a 2:32:10 in Ottawa in May that made her Canadian Champion for '09. Unfortunately, she has had to turn down a place in Berlin, owing to family economic circumstances that compel her to run a big-paying, big-city marathon this Fall. Quinn-Smith, who had a marvellous marathon debut of 2:33:58 in Ottawa '08 that gave her the required standard, is still hoping to join husband Andrew at the World Championships when Athletics Canada makes the final, official team announcements on July 27th.

Left: Lioudmila Kortchaguina en route to victory at Scotibank Vancouver Half Marathon on June 28th.
Right: Josiane Aboungono at Banque Scotia 21K de Montreal

"It's shaping up to be a really cracking race, with so much Canadian talent on display," says Canada Running Series Race Director Alan Brookes. "Frankly, we're really pleasantly surprised. Even though Acura's sponsorship has brought some new luster, we still thought of this as a well-organized but relatively low-key, summertime tune-up run for the record numbers preparing for 'the big one' in September. Clearly, some of our best elites are seeing it the same way! It will be a lot of fun for our 3,000 recreational athletes to run with, then meet Andrew, Dylan and Tara afterwards at the informal setting in The Distillery — then sit back and watch them on the TV in Berlin in August. Hopefully our Canadian elites will then come out on September 27th and cheer on the rest of us at Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon when we live our dreams!"

It's still not too late to join Andrew, Dylan, Tara, Lioudmila and a record crowd at Sunday's Acura Toronto Ten Miler or 5K, but you'd better do it fast, as there are only 400 places left in the Ten Miler, and just 50 in the 5K, before this year's caps are reached [2,500 and 600]. Online registration is available until midnight Tuesday [14th], while places last, at www.canadarunningseries.com/torontoten/. Pledges for the Canadian Cancer Society can also be made online to fight men's cancers.

Registration is also ongoing at record pace for September 27th's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Half & 5K — more than 50% up over this time last year. "We're certain to sell out for both Waterfront Marathon [4,000] and Half [8,000] this year — and sooner rather than later," said Race Director, Alan Brookes. Entry at www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/en/register.htm.

NOTES:

Andrew Smith

• Andrew's blog
• May MDS Nordion 10K, Ottawa. 29:23 PR. "a great confidence booster as I enter my marathon training for Berlin."
• April 19th. Banque Scotia 21K de Montreal. Canadian Half Marathon Championships. Defended his title as Canada's Men's Half Champion with a 65:08 PR, good for 4th overall [3 seconds behind Ongeri].

Dylan Wykes

• Pre-race story from Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront '08: www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/en/news/2008_09_09.htm
• Post-race story: www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/en/news/2008_10_08.htm.

Tara Quinn-Smith

• Tara's blog: Nicely discusses her hopes and training for Berlin, and her major disappointment if she doesn't get there.

Andrew Smith talks about Berlin World Championship marathon & Acura Toronto Ten Miler "tune up"…

I feel very fortunate and excited to be representing Canada in the Marathon at the World Championships in Berlin. It has been a number of years since we have sent a full team to this event, so I realize how important this race is as far as putting Canada back on the map in the marathon event.

My training build-up has been going very well. I'm confident I'll be ready to run another personal best in Berlin, and hopefully be a strong contributor to our team score. I'd like to finish in the top 25, and take another good chunk of time off my current PB of 2:16:14. I think this marathon comes at a great time for me, as I have a lot of confidence having come off a strong performance in only my second marathon this past January in Houston [the 2:16 PR].

Anytime you get the chance to represent your country at an international event, you want to perform at the highest level possible. I also think I gained some valuable international experience running for Canada in the World Half Marathon Championships, especially last Fall in Rio de Janeiro, where I placed 31st.** I feel that my experience in Rio was a great stepping stone towards an event like the WC marathon and eventually the Olympics. It is absolutely crucial to have the chance to compete against the best in the world.

As far as the Acura 10 Mile race this weekend goes, my initial plan was to use it as more of a hard training effort as opposed to a full out race effort. The main reason for this is that I am currently in the middle of the build-up for the marathon, and it is important that I maintain my weekly training goals throughout the entire build-up, with the key focus being to keep my volume high. With this in mind, it can be difficult to try and race at 100% when you are somewhat tired from the demands of the training program. However, I am going to see how the upcoming week goes and I will take some time to think things over. If my body is feeling okay and the weather is decent, I may decide to get in a harder effort than originally planned.

See you all on Sunday!

** Note: Andrew won his selection to IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Rio through a partnership between Athletics Canada and Banque Scotia 21K de Montreal — a partnership that has made the race the Canadian Half Marathon Championships the past 2 years. The Canadian men's and women's champions have then been given strong consideration for selection, and the resulting team has been jointly funded by the Federation and the Canada Running Series. Matt Loiselle booked his place to go to the Half Marathon Championships this Fall, being staged in Birmingham, with his terrific 64:10 run for victory in Montreal on April 19th.

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Top 10 Reasons to Run the Toronto Ten-Miler & 5k at The Historic Distillery District

10. Over 2500 people will see your new running clothes

9. Distillery… VERY good chance there are licensed premises after the race

8. This Sunday morning run replaces your usual long run AND provides a shirt!

7. A good, easy run will help alleviate the post-Saturday night partying stiffness

6. Great training run to prepare for Waterfront Marathon or Half — but lets you sleep in an extra half hour

5. Course is flat — no 'tower' to climb or mountain to scale

4. You get the "Tour de Tommy" (Thompson Park) … great views of shores, city & wildlife

3. Post-run band (TBA) will knock your technical socks off

2. Over 300 volunteers will witness your run and the amount of food you eat at the finish

1. Only 16k… you're totally there in your training… no vulture bait will you be…

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Ongeri, Stevenson win 2008 Toronto Ten-Miler ahead of record crowd

TORONTO. July 13, 2008. Kenya's Josephat Ongeri and Toronto's Nicole Stevenson emerged victorious in this morning's Toronto Ten Miler at The Distillery Historic District. Overcast skies, a temperature of only 19°Celcius, and light showers provided good conditions for a July distance event in Toronto—though high humidity mitigated against fast times for the record field of 1733 runners. Another 508 participated in the accompanying 5K. The Ten Miler, event #6 in this year's Canada Running Series and "the" Official Tune Up for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon & Half on September 28th, was up more than 22% from last year.

From the start, Ongeri was content to sit in a large pack of some 20 runners who ambled through the first kilometre in 3:10. From The Distillery, the completely flat course heads out onto Lakeshore Boulevard, then along Commissioners Road to Tommy Thompson Park, following major parts of the second half of the record-breaking Scotia Waterfront course.

The pack was still mostly together as they headed into the park at 4km, but by the time they emerged again at 12km, Toronto's Danny Kassap and Ongeri had taken charge. Fellow-Kenyan Moses Macharia, the winner of Harry's Spring Run Off Toronto 8K and the Sporting Life 10K in the Spring, was 20m back, running on tired legs after a hectic sojourn in Canada and a Half Marathon at altitude in Calgary last weekend. What remained of the chasing pack was another 70m in arrears.

Kassap did most of the work over the next 3km, and for a short while around 14k it looked like he might get away. But Ongeri closed the gap, running just a step behind, until they approached 15km, when he moved alongside. The two then ran shoulder to shoulder for the final kilometre until Ongeri moved into 5th gear and sprinted away over the last 200m to break the tape in 48:48, with Kassap seven seconds back. Moses Macharia trotted home in 49:59, just holding off Michael Njoroge [50:05], Paul Njoroge [50:11], and Toronto's Giitah Macharia [50:26].

Nicole Stevenson, who is rumoured to have been selected for Team Canada at this year's contest against Mexico, England and the US in the International Team Challenge at the Scotiank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, had an easier time of things, defeating Josiane Aboungono by more than a minute, 58:35 to 59:41, in a two-woman race. Becky Patten was a distant third in 62:29.

The 5K, also a ChampionChip-timed event, was won by Hamilton's Ahmed Khauf in 16:09 and Toronto's Orlagh O'Kelley in 19:25.

Behind the champions, the record number of recreational runners at the Nissan Ten & 5K "tuned-up" for their big day on September 28th, also—getting a feel for race pace, practicing their water station technique, experimenting with Cytomax gels and Gatorade, and hopefully remembering their exhilaration as they crossed the line on the bricks at The Distillery, got a handsome medal, then sat back and celebrated to the "live" sounds of Loco Zydeco. Eleven weeks to go....

Full results and photos, plus entry to the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and Half, at www.canadarunningseries.com.

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Ongeri and Githuka win inaugural Nissan Toronto Ten Miler

TORONTO. July 15th. On a beautiful, mild, sunny morning with blue skies and low humidity, Kenyans Josephat Ongeri and Pauline Githuka led almost 1500 runners around the inaugural Nissan Toronto Ten Miler. Another 500 participated in the accompanying 5K. Temperatures were around 15 degrees for the 8am start at The Historic Distillery District. Billed as "the" official tune up for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon & Half, the event was also run on the second-half of the Waterfront route, through scenic Tommy Thompson Park. The race added a new distance to the Canada Running Series calendar, and was received with considerable enthusiasm.

The men's Ten Miler was a closely contested affair from start to finish. Toronto's Danny Kassap led a pack of twelve through a pedestrian first kilometre in 3:05. The group settled in and remained together until almost 7k when Ongeri moved to the front and put in a surge as the course dipped down and back up over a scenic Bailey bridge in Tommy Thompson Park. Immediately the group was down to four. Ongeri went hard again after the 5 mile mark [24:02], and there were only two—Ongeri and Ottawa's Joseph Nsengiyumva. The two then ran shoulder to shoulder over the breezy second half of the course. Ongeri made minor surges on two or three occasions over the last mile to test the mettle of his opponent. Convinced he had the leg speed, the Kenyan was prepared to wait until the final 200m on Trinity Street before sprinting away for the victory on the bricks of The Distillery, 48:45 to Nsengiyumva's 48:47. Kenyan Henry Githuka was third in 48:59.

In contrast, the women's field was very thin, with Pauline Githuka (Henry's sister) coasting around, uncontested in 59:07. Toronto's Jennifer Faraone came second in 61:19, building on her strong outing at the Scotiabank Vancouver Half three weeks ago, where she was fourth. Milton's Josianne Aboungono limped home third in 62:59.

The sold-out crowd of 2,000 gave the new distance, the course, and the venue "two thumbs up" as they celebrated to the electrifying beat of Dr. Draw at the post-run concert.

Full results and photos at www.canadarunningseries.com/torontoten/to10RESULT.htm.

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July 14th, 2006.

Ed Whitlock, age 75, runs 18:45 to steal show at Nissan Foundation 5K; takes aim at 3 hour mark for Toronto Waterfront Marathon

TORONTO. July 14th. On a warm evening (27° Celcius at 7pm start time), Danny Kassap of University of Toronto Track Club had a strong outing to trounce his arch-rival Giitah Macharia of St.Catharines by 15 seconds, to win the Nissan Foundation 5K at The Docks tonight. After battling back and forth for the first 3km, Kassap broke away decisively, to claim his second victory in the past 5 years on the flat, fast course and signal a timely return to form.

Newcomer to the Canada Running Series, Emily Tallon of Kingston, took a great scalp in coming home first-woman ahead of Olympian Emilie Mondor of Montreal, 16:40 to 17:05.

But it was Ed Whitlock, "The Master", who stole the show with an electrifying 18:45 performance at aged 75. Gunning for Maurice Tarrant's Canadian M75 record of 20:42, Whitlock destroyed the old mark. Running a 6:02 per mile pace, Ed placed 74th overall in a field of 1,114 finishers. That is correct—6:02 mile pace at age 75, on a course re-certified just last year by an AIMS/IAAF 'Class A' measurer.

Over the past 3 years, Mr. Whitlock has received extensive global media praise and innumerable accolades from his peers in the running community for his distance running exploits. Last November, he was honoured at ceremonies at the New York City Marathon as a "Runner's World Hero of the Year", and labelled "The Master". He received this alongside such running legends as Norway's Grete Waitz (9 time NYC Marathon winner) and young Olympic stars Justin Gatlin and Lauryn Williams. (for story click here)

Why all the excitement? Mr. Whitlock is the only person on the planet over 70 years of age to have run a marathon in under the magical 3 hour barrier. He has done this now on three occasions—twice at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, where he set the Men's 70+ world record of 2:54:49 in 2004, and once in Rotterdam. It has been claimed that on recognized scales of comparative, age-graded performances, Ed's 2:54 ranks as a greater performance than superstar Paula Radcliffe's remarkable women's world record of 2:15:25.

"I surprised myself a bit tonight with the 18:45," said the typically modest "Master".

"I wasn't expecting to do quite this well. Since late February I have had various problems which caused me to withdraw from the Rotterdam Marathon, and miss several other races and a fair bit of training. I have no major concerns at the moment and just this week, I have managed to get up to 3 hours of continuous running for the first time since February.

My training could be described as simple, non scientific and unmeasured. It basically consists of trying to run every day for as long as I can, considering my current physical condition. When I feel ok and have enough background, I run for 3 hours a day every day not taking note of the pace or the distance run.

I have followed this daily regime for several years now, not making any allowance for age, but since I don't measure my pace I do not know how much I have slowed down in training. When I was in my 40's my training was different with more emphasis on quality, but then I was concentrating on middle distance and I only dabble in that now.

I am hopeful things will continue to go well until the Waterfront (Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, September 24th).

On September 24th, The Master will take a run at becoming the only person on the planet over 75 to go under 3 hours. In 2004, Whitlock ran 18:22 at the Nissan 5K, then his 2:54 at the Waterfront. Last year, his Nissan run was only 19:06, and his Waterfront performance was a 3:02:41. Tonight's 18:45 would signal that the "sub 3" is a real possibility this Fall.

Elsewhere at the Nissan 5K, Michal Kapral, aka "The Joggler", had a great time of 17:50, running and juggling 3 balls, but came up short of eclipsing the 20-year old Guinness World Record of 16:55, that was set on the track, without 1100 other runners to contend with. Undaunted, The Joggler claims he'll be ready for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon also, where he is preparing for a re-match with Zach Warren, "The Boston Joggler", after their battle in Boston this spring, where Warren set the marathon joggling World Record of 2:58:23!

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July 15th, 2005.

Giitah Macharia wins 2005 Nissan Foundation 5K in a sprint

Giitah Macharia of St. Catharines successfully defended his title as race champion, and moved into a strong position to repeat as 2005 Canada Running Series champion, with an exciting sprint to the line to win the Nissan Foundation 5K at The Docks on Friday night, in 14:39.

It was a hot, humid night (27° Celcius at start time), that was more conducive to a close, tactical race than fast times. As in Vancouver last month, Macharia was content to sit back in a group of 10 early on, and leave things to the final 300 metres. As he turned the corner onto Poulson Street, he was still shoulder to shoulder with Montreal's Bagdad Rachem, before moving to overdrive in the final 150 metres, for a 3 second victory. Toronto's Danny Kassap, who had pushed the early pace with Rachem and Matt McInnis, took third in 14:48, with Montrealers Oukid Fethi and Dahbi Ammor close behind in 14:52 and 14:57.

With the win, Macharia leapfrogged over Rachem and Kassap into first place in the Canada Running Series standings, with only 3 races left on the calendar: 120 points to 114 to 111.

The women's race followed a similar pattern, with Cambridge's Krestena Sullivan coming home strong for a 6 second victory (17:32) over Tania Jones and Sandy Wells who were both timed in 17:38. Michelle Cormier rounded out the lead pack in 17:47. The victory also moved Sullivan into first place in the CRS Women's standings.

Behind the frontrunners, Jerry Kooymans had a great evening, despite the conditions, setting a new Canadian 5K road-race record for 50+ of 15:51. The old mark was 16:03, and Friday's performance made Kooymans 1st Master on the night, and 15th overall.

A little further back, the indefatigable Ed Whitlock, now 74 years young, signalled he'll be ready for his marathon re-match against Holland's Joop Ruter at the Toronto Waterfront, September 25th, with a 19:06 performance at The Docks. Ed's time would also have won him any age category from 55+ !

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