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 consequence, 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 needed to stay my neck out and throw just a few punches myself, as an alternative of rolling with them. I’m pleased with the consequence.”
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 similar 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.
Quebec’s Florence Caron dominates Canadian 10K Championship in debut
“Going into this weekend, I knew I used to be match,” Alexander stated. “Earlier this season, I discovered the laborious approach that in the event you maintain individuals in it, they’ll get you–however clearly, that’s nice gasoline.” Eventually month’s Below Armour Toronto 10K, he was compelled to accept second after yet one more photograph end, this time with Max Turek; each males recorded a time of 29:13.
Retaining it sincere
Alexander stated he needed 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 ok 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 robust 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.”
High 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.
