There are two big Canadian road races happening this weekend, the Taramak Ottawa Marathon, which is also hosting the national 10K championships and there is the national half-marathon championships in Calgary.
For the Ottawa 10K Championships, the field is a who’s who of Canadian running with a generous volume of international competitors.
Meanwhile, in Calgary, there will be a selection of top Canadians going after the national half-marathon championships, see below.
Both Calgary and Ottawa can heat up on short notice in May, so temperatures can be a factor.
Sunday, the overnight low is a temperate 12C in Calgary. The race starts at 7:00 am, so the temperatures likely won’t be a factor, however, the mercury is expected to rise to 27 by mid-day. Calgary’s air is typically very dry and resides at 1,045-metres above sea level and is considered to be at semi-elevation.
Ottawa 10K will be warmer as it will be run in the early evening at 6:30 pm. The temperature should be a minor factor for some at 21C. Ottawa typically offers higher humidity. The city sits at 70m above sea level, so is ideal for elevation.
Athletics Canada
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2018 Elites to Watch for at The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon Race Weekend
10K – Women
Alecia Kallos
Recent times/PBs: Edmonton Marathon 10KM: 36:01
Spirit animal: A bee. Always on the go, organized, and productive. Ironically, I am allergic to bees.
Rachel Humphreys
Recent times/PBs: Vancouver Sun Run, 22nd April 2018, 36:38
Runner bio: I am a British athlete now living in Edmonton, Alberta. We moved from near London in 2016 to allow my husband to start a new job. I am returning to competitive running after giving birth to my son a year ago and am very much looking forward to my first experience of the Calgary Marathon weekend. This will be only my second Canadian road race.cc
Bridget Pyke
Recent times/PBs: 2017 Portland track twilight 5000m 16:47
2017 Victoria half marathon 1:20:03
2018 St. Patrick’s Day 5 k 17:18
2018 TC 10 k 35:48
Spirit animal: French bulldog (because I have been told my face looks similar)
10K – Men
Michael Nishiyama
Recent times/PBs: Scotiabank Calgary Jugo Juice 10K 2017: 33:09, Vancouver Sun Run 2017 10K 31:50
Runner bio: Michael Nishiyama is from Edmonton and runs for the Running Room Athletic Club. He has raced competitively for 16 years, is a Queen’s University alumni, and currently works as a Civil Engineer. He recently got married to his incredible wife Alecia Kallos, who is also partaking in the elite field for the 10K.
Matthew Travaglini
Recent times/PBs: April 22, 2018- Vancouver Sun Run- 29:49
April 29, 2018- TC10k- 30:24
March 17, 2018- St Patricks day 5k- 14:23
Runner bio: Member of the Saucony Hurricane Elite team, 2017 Canadian Mountain Running champion, 2017 Calgary marathon 10k champion, member of the SAIT cross country and track and field team. 2017-2018 Alberta Colleges athlete of the year
21.1K – Women
Dayna Pidhoresky (31) from Vancouver BC
Recent times/PBs: August 25, IAAF World Championships (marathon) — 2:56:15
May 28, Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon — 2:36:08
April 30, Times Colonist 10K — 33:42
April 23, Scotiabank Montreal Half — 1:13:43
March 26, Around the Bay 30K — 1:47:27
March 18, St. Patrick’s Day 5K — 16:27
Spirit animal: The lone wolf. I train mainly alone and quite like it like that!
Rachel Hannah
Recent times/PBs: Scotiabank Calgary Half Marathon/Canadian Champs – 1st place: 1:17:14; 2:32:09 – Houston Marathon 2016
1:12:25 – Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon 2015
Spirit animal: Dog – they live in the moment, are always happy, loyal and love life.
Sasha Golish
Recent times/PBs: Oct 8, 1/2. 1:12:55. On the AC IAAF Half Marathon Team
Runner bio: Sasha Gollish is a Toronto resident most known for her bronze medal performance at the Pan Am Games in 2015, where she won a bronze medal despite losing a shoe! More recently Sasha was the U Sport Cross-Country Champion, leading the Toronto Varsity Blues to their first banner (Team win) since 2002. Gollish was named the female athlete of the meet for her endeavours. In 2016 Sasha was also the National Cross-Country Champion, winning the first ever 10k distance, going on to lead Team Canada at the World Cross-Country Championships in Uganda. Sasha also contests the roads, mainly the half marathon. She had the fastest female Canadian time in 2016, 1:11:07, placing her 2nd on the all-time ranking list. Off the track, Sasha is a practicing engineer and a PhD Candidate at the University of Toronto’s in Engineering Education (part of the Civil Engineering Department).
21.1K – Men
Trevor Hofbauer (26)
Kip Kangogo
Recent times/PBs: Calgary Half 2017: 1:06:27, Vancouver Scotiabank half marathon: 1:05:35
Spirit animal: Tiger: strong and fearless.
Benard Onsare
Recent times/PBs: Toronto Waterfront Marathon: 2:29
Runner bio: 2012 & 2013 Calgary Marathon Champion, Course Record holder
Spirit animal: Dog, training partner
Mathieu Bilodeau
Runner bio: RUN WALKER!! 2016 Olympian, former triathlete and runner, CPA at Deloitte Calgary. I am moving to Canmore at the beginning on May. I am from Quebec but move to Calgary 6 years again
Spirit animal: tiger, I am aggressive at the start line, I want to destroy and win
42.2K – Women
Lindsay Winter
Recent times/PBs: Nipika Crazy Soles 10K Trail Race (49:11; 1st female and overall); Grizzly Ultra Marathon (team of 2) – 2:11 (my legs 3,4, and 5 – 24K), 4:23 (overall), 2nd place women’s team of two
Spirit animal: Golden retriever – I love people and get energy from great social interactions.
Catrin Jones
Runner bio: I have raced over 20 marathons locally and internationally. I also hold the 50k Canadian road record. I have placed 3rd at World 50k Champs twice (2014/15) and a two-time winner of the Victoria marathon. I have been racing Ultra marathons now since 2013. I grew up as a competitive swimmer but moved into running in my late 20’s. I have had the opportunity to race the Calgary marathon once where I placed 2nd
Caroline Kiptoo
Recent times/PBs: 2.42, Calgary marathon 2017
Spirit animal: Cheeteh…faster
HIWOT TEFERA
Recent times/PBs: Pune half marathon. 2014 1:16
Bangalore 10k 2014 35.34
Stockholm 10k 2017 35.35
Zhengzhou Marathon 2016 2:52″
Spirit animal: I like dog they are very nice and honest
42.2K – Men
Justin Kurek
Recent times/PBs: 2017: California International Marathon, PR 2:29:50
2016: New York Marathon, 66th Overall, 1st Male Canadian, 2:36
2015 Calgary Ultra Marathon 50km (Canadian Championship) 1st overall, 3:10
2015 SeaWheeze Half Marathon- 1st overall, 1:12
Spirit animal: Lion-relentless fighter in the face of life challenges. Represents courage, strength in overcoming difficulties.
FEYERA DADI
Recent times/PBs: 2016 2:09:42 Dongying (CHN) 08 MAY 2016
2015 2:13:07 Lanzhou (CHN) 14 JUN 2015
2014 2:15:05 Hong Kong (HKG) 16 FEB 2014
2012 2:14:13 Frankfurt (GER) 28 OCT 2012″
Spirit animal: Dog: they are honest and friendly
Marc Mundell
Recent times/PBs: Vancouver Marathon Race Walk 3:21:28
Banff Marathon Race Walk 3:23:25″
Spirit animal: I resonate most with the Armadillo at this stage of my life. Slowly and surely planning the way forward during this adventurous chapter. Supported by the adage, I adore spontaneity provided that it is meticulously planned
50K – Women
Adriana Wild
Recent times/PBs: Lots! But I recently completed the Manchester Marathon on 3:03:58 and was awarded 2nd international female.
Spirit animal: Gazelle, because I have long legs and I am always running!
50K – Men
Sanjay SACHDEV
Recent times/PBs: Grizzly Ultra 50km – 4:04:52 (1st AG, 3rd Overall), 50km Trans Rockies Rundle’s Revenge – 4:30:34 (1st Overall), Golden Ultra 3 Day – 4th Overall Day 1 Vertical Km, 6th Overall 61km trail course, 4th Overall trail half marathon (I am receiving an error on the zone4.ca site currently. I can email them and follow up with the Golden Ultra times).
Spirit animal: My spirit animal would be an Eagle. The Eagle has amazing strength and vision. It soars high, pushes limits, and has humility. These are all characteristics I try and live by. It’s that spirit that allows me to push beyond my potential.
Brandon Miller
Recent times/PBs: Canadian Death Race 125km Ultra. 1st Overall – 14:26:25
Diez Vista 100km Ultra. 1st Overall, CR – 11:20:37.7
Sean O’Brien 100km Ultra. 11th Overall, 1st in Age Group – 11:07:17
Jake Puzey
2017 winner of the 50K
