It wasn’t precisely a shock when American ultrarunner Courtney Dauwalter claimed the title of Gran Canaria World Path Main (WTM) sequence champion; she’s broadly considered among the finest within the historical past of the game. However whereas many had been targeted on her victory, Canadian ladies claimed 5 of the highest 15 spots within the WTM sequence rankings—and their spectacular performances deserve consideration.
The rankings
The sequence makes use of the identical rating system because the Worldwide Path Runners Affiliation (ITRA), with factors granted for a runner’s ending placement. Whereas runners are inspired to participate in as many races as they want, solely the highest two finest finishes are used within the last tally. Within the case of a tie, like that of Canada’s Anne Champagne with Dauwalter, the runner with the higher ITRA rating will likely be topped the winner.
Canadian ladies shine
Champagne completed in second place within the ladies’s class, after profitable the QMT 100-miler in July and claiming first place at Grand Raid des Pyrenees in France. Her outstanding accomplishments had been adopted by New Brunswick-based Kelsey Hogan in fifth place; Hogan took second at QMT behind Champagne, and was eleventh at Madeira Island Extremely-Path in Portugal. In eighth place, Quebec’s Geneviève Asselin-Demers positioned sixth at Arizona’s Black Canyon Ultras, eighth at Madeira Island Extremely-Path and eleventh at UTCT. Contemporary off her win at UTCT 100K, B.C.’s Jazmine Lowther claimed the eleventh general place, adopted by Quebec native Marianne Hogan (no relation to Kelsey Hogan), who received Swiss Canyon Path.
To not be forgotten, Canadian males additionally carried out properly on the worldwide stage, with Quebec’s Jean-François (Jeff) Cauchon, who received the general 100-mile race at QMT in July, in seventh place, adopted by Fernie, B.C.’s Ethan Peters in 14th place, who was twenty seventh at Black Canyon Ultras and sixteenth at Madeira Island Extremely-Path.
What’s the World Path Main sequence?
There are a variety of acronyms runners toss round when discussing occasions, making the extremely world appear sophisticated. The WTM sequence is positioned because the antidote to that, with an emphasis on simplicity and grassroots racing at its core. The nine-race sequence wrapped up at Extremely-Path Cape City final weekend, and included gorgeous and difficult programs worldwide in an effort to offer runners with elite competitors at non-UTMB venues.
Quebec Mega Path, in Mont Sainte-Anne, Que., was the only real Canadian cease within the sequence, which kicked off in Hong Kong in January and continued with races in Arizona, Spain, Japan, Portugal, Switzerland and England earlier than its conclusion at UTCT.
To study extra concerning the World Path Main sequence, head right here.
