© Copyright – 2024 – Athletics Illustrated
Two-time Canadian Olympian Geneviève Lalonde and her husband John Rasmussen a triathlete with Team Canada are back racing, after welcoming a daughter in 2024. Next up for the couple is the Royal Victoria 8K, on Sunday, October 13.
Geneviève Lalonde
Lalonde specializes in the 3000-metre steeplechase event and has held the national record on a number of occasions. Her current personal best was set during the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021 at 9:22.40. The record has since been improved by Ceili McCabe of Vancouver to 9:20.58 in May this year in Los Angeles.
Lalonde and Rasmussen share the household and parenting load while training works for the couple but has had its challenges too. Married in 2022, they welcomed their daughter into their lives in 2024.
Asked about the comeback to training and racing Lalonde said, “The comeback has been challenging. Having a child definitely changes your perspective and your priorities.”
Yes, there is a baby stroller involved in some of the training, two or three times per week. And, they have help from family and friends.
“Sometimes the best run is just the one you have time and energy for that day. Overall though we have been incredibly fortunate to have our family and friends support us along with some key sponsors in Ciele and Uni Coopération Financière, and that has made all the difference.”
The pair started their racing comeback at the Eastside 10K in Vancouver. Rasmussen finished seventh in 31:32, while Lalonde clocked a 34:32 finish for sixth place. It is early. Her 3000msc personal best, according to the World Athletics scoring tables is worth around a 31:05 10,000m performance, which should translate to sub-31:30 in a road 10K. She should run sub-27 in the 8K.
The 33-year-old Moncton, New Brunswick native (now lives in Victoria) gets up for the big meets. Two of her national records happened during the Olympic Games in Rio and Tokyo, respectively.
Considering that the Eastside 10K on Sunday, Sept. 22, was her first race back, Lalonde is happy to simply increase her fitness for the time being. When asked about goals, she said, “To get fit, and to have fun racing again! Honestly, just to get back on the running scene and get more experience into my legs.”
Her plans are to get back into international racing, if that means qualifying for the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships starting Sept. 13, 2025, she was non-committal. The Wanda Diamond League series also awaits with 15 meets between April 16 and August 28, 2025.
For now, the next race is the 2024 Royal Victoria 8K for both her and Rasmussen.
John Rasmussen
Asked about Rasmussen’s training Lalonde said, “John’s training is going very well. He is definitely running faster than he ever has. He is spending less time in the pool and on the bike, but he will get there. We recently acquired a secondhand Thule to go with his bike, so his cycling with follow suit with his running progression.
He has raced in the World Triathlon circuit a total of 71 times, winning once and hitting the podium four times.
The Hamilton, Ontario native’s win was in the sprint distance in 2018 at the Bridgetown CAMTRI Sprint Triathlon American Cup and Central American and Caribbean Championship. He clocked a 57:50 finish time and a 15:40 final leg, which is a 5K race.
The Royal Victoria 8K offers a fast course during the Royal Victoria Marathon weekend. Currently, the marathon and half-marathon are sold out, while spots are disappearing quickly for the 8K and Saturday’s 5K race in nearby Oak Bay.
