Heading to 2016 Rio Olympics later this summer, Canada’s marathoners put themselves to the test and got a boost of confidence with the temperatures quickly rising at the Toronto Waterfront 10. The newest addition to the Canada Running Series race lineup, the inaugural event attracted some 6,000 runners.
In the men’s field, Speed River Track Club’s Eric Gillis lead the pack from the start wrapping up the first 5K in 14:44, with his training partner Reid Coolsaet hanging on, crossing the line a mere two seconds behind Gillis who finished at 29:23. Also from Speed River, Tristin Woodfine is certainly one to watch as he held his own rounding out the top three at 29:54.
pushed the pace from the start leading a pack of five through the first 5km in 14:44 but only his fellow Olympian and Speed River Track Club partner, Reid Coolsaet could hang on. As the temperature soared into the mid 20’s Celsius it was Gillis crossing the line first in 29:23, with Coolsaet just two seconds behind.
Despite not having a time goal in mind, Krista DuChene took the the lead over Vancouver’s Dayna Pidhoresky at the 8 kilometre mark, widening the gap and finishing at 33:50. Feeling comfortable in the first half of the race, Pidhoreskey, admitted she lost her focus and was never able to regain concentration crossing the line at 34:01, while Cleo Boyd finished a strong third in 34:09.
Following the race Toronto Mayor John Tory, MP Peter Fonseca, who ran for Canada in the 1996 Olympic marathon, and Ms. Ana Lelia Beninca Beltrame the Consul General of Brazil paid tribute to the Rio bound trio.
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