At Saturday’s nationwide 10K championships in Ottawa, Toronto’s Andrew Alexander determined so as to add some gold to his {hardware} assortment. After a back-and-forth battle with Quebec’s Thomas Fafard within the again half of the race, Alexander improved on final yr’s third-place end result, breaking the tape in 28:19.
Fafard, one of many favourites coming in, crossed in 28:21; Ben Flanagan, the reigning Canadian marathon champion, rounded out the rostrum in 28:33.
“I’ve too many bronze medals sitting round the home for my liking,” Alexander advised Canadian Operating post-race. “I wished to stay my neck out and throw a couple of punches myself, as an alternative of rolling with them. I’m pleased with the end result.”
Alexander completed only one second shy of his private finest, 28:18, the fifth-fastest Canadian all-time mark, which he set en route to 3rd at this identical occasion final yr. The win marks his second nationwide title; he additionally received the 2024 Canadian 10,000m championships in a photograph end with marathon star Rory Linkletter.
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“Going into this weekend, I knew I used to be match,” Alexander stated. “Earlier this season, I discovered the arduous approach that should you preserve individuals in it, they’ll get you–however clearly, that’s nice gasoline.” Eventually month’s Beneath Armour Toronto 10K, he was compelled to accept second after one more picture end, this time with Max Turek; each males recorded a time of 29:13.
Retaining it sincere
Alexander stated he wished to make Saturday’s occasion an sincere race from the gun. Simply over midway, Fafard put in a surge, however slowed down once more. Alexander felt adequate to catch again up and stated that when he noticed the end line, he knew he had sufficient turnover in his legs.
“Andrew was actually, actually sturdy immediately–he pushed the tempo the entire race,” Fafard stated. “I attempted to hole him with a few mile (1.6 km) to go, however I simply didn’t have the legs. It was windy on the market, and Andrew took the entire race by himself, in order that’s actually spectacular.”
Prime 10 finishers
Andrew Alexander – 28:19
Thomas Fafard – 28:21
Ben Flanagan – 28:33
Thomas Nobbs – 28:48
Ehab El-Sandali – 29:14
Simon Berube – 29:16
Alex Cyr – 29:21
Andrew Davies – 29:28
Jaxon Kuchar – 29:28
Vincent Chenier – 29:44
See right here for full outcomes.
