AGSI 2008 Canadian Cross Country Championships

November 27, 2008

AGSI Canadian Cross Country Championships – Saturday, Nov 29 2008. - For the AGSI Canadian National Cross Country Championships there is currently a few centimeters of snow on the course and the forecast is for temperatures to hover around the freezing mark. For best results long spikes are advised.

There are 739 confirmed entrants to date from across the country, most however, are from the Province of Ontario.

Some of the top seeds contesting the Men’s senior race are:

Dylan Wykes, ON
Steve Osaduik, BC
Simon Bairu, Sask
Eric Gillis, NS
Joel Bourgeois, NB
James Gosselin, ON
Ryan McKenzie, BC
Alex Hutchison, ON
Gitah Macharia, ON
Taylor Milne, ON
Derek Nakluski, ON
Kris Swanson, BC
Mathew Normington, AB
Rob Watson, ON
Chris Winter

Simon Bairu owns personal bests of 27:50 10, 000m, 13:25 5000m 7:49.20 3000m. As an alumni of the NCAA Div 1 Wisconsin Badgers, Bairu won the NCAA Cross Country Championships twice and owns 7 All American certificates. He also has 5 consecutive Canadian Cross Country Championships to his credit. The consecutive streak was broken due to injury. He is currently tied with 5-time winner Paul McCloy who turned the trick from 1983 to 1987. 2007 winner Reid Coolsaet is out due to injury.

Also watch for Ontario native and Providence Friar alumni Dylan Wykes who owns a marathon personal best of 2:15:16 from Fortis Rotterdam Marathon 2008 and has IAAF World Cross Country Championships experience.

Eric Gillis a maritimer is another runner to watch as he also has IAAF World Cross Country experience and competed in the 10, 000m at the Beijing Olympics. His 10, 000, personal best is 28:07 and 13:36 for the 5, 000m

The women’s race is literally wide open as incredibly none of the top 10 finishers from 2007 are registered as of November 27. Watch for the Tina Turner of Canadian varsity running, Victoria’s very own Marilyn Arsenault to run well. Marilyn recently place decently at the CIS Cross Country Championships despite a possible tactical situation, which may not have been in her favour.

No team declaration for 2008, top 4 athletes across the line score.

The complete (as of November 27, 2008) entry list of juniors, masters and seniors is available here.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

9:45AM      Community/Open WINTER CROSS (non championship) 5km
10:45AM    Masters Men & Women Championship (ages 30 & up) 8km
11:45AM    Children's Fun Run (non championship) 1km
12:00PM    Junior Women Championship (1988 or later) 5km
12:45PM    Junior Men Championship (1988 or later) 8km
1:30PM      Senior Women Championship 7km
2:15PM      Senior Men Championship 10km

Participation in the Ontario Canadian Cross-Country Championships is expected for athletes wishing to qualify or be considered for the 2009 National Cross Country team. Participation in the NACAC Saturday, March 7, 2009 in Orlando, Florida is also required as well as the entire cross-country program, unless the athlete has a pre-approved competitive conflict. According to Athletics Canada, “Significant funding can be earned in participation through placing at the Trials.”

2009 IAAF World Cross Country Championships take place in Amman, Jordan March 28, 2009.

________________________________________________

Chris is a member of the Lydiard Foundation

Contact: chriskelsall@flocasts.org

Post a Comment

#6	Christopher Kelsall November 28, 2008 at 5:23pm Annoyed and Agreed, Sorry, but I think you took the crossing off of Ontario the wrong way. Or maybe I shouldn't have put it in to begin with. I was indicating NO malice towards Ontario whatsoever, but a little harmless poke at the rest of the country for not showing up. And I mean harmless. I like Ontario and I even wrote once about how I really like the city of Ottawa and the good people of Ontario. So there was nothing negative intended. reply
#5	Anonymous Coward November 28, 2008 at 4:26pm centimeters? seriously? reply
#4	Anonymous Coward November 28, 2008 at 2:29pm Eric Gillis = Ontarian??? Say it ain't so. He's a maratimer through and through. reply
#3	Pierre Landry November 28, 2008 at 2:14pm I think Wykes may be the odd man out in the senior mens race, look for Rob Watson to join Bariu and Gillis on the podium. Taylor Milne also has a legit shot at the podium if the course is hard instead of muddy. Catherine Cormier and Emily Tallen look to be the main favorites while Tarah McKay and Marilyn should also be a podium contenders. Ontarians do think that the Canadian Athletics scene revolves around them but they never complain about making the trip to Victoria when Nats are held there. reply
#2	Anonymous Coward November 28, 2008 at 11:12am Nice work. reply
#1	Anonymous Coward November 28, 2008 at 8:00am Chris, your malice towards Ontario is distasteful. Period. reply