Natasha Fraser Taking Incredible Road to Ottawa 10k Paul Gains Apr 29, 2013

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By Paul Gains
 
Although the 2013 racing calendar is not even half way through, it is fair to say Natasha Fraser has already caught the attention of road racing aficionados everywhere. Moreover, she has also established herself as a strong contender for the Ottawa 10k on May 25 - an IAAF Silver Label race.

The 31-year-old resident of Port Moody, B.C. began the year with a stunning victory at the Harriers Pioneer 8k in Victoria. Her time of 25:28 smashed the course record, which had been held for 27 years by Canadian Olympian Debbie Scott and caused much chatter on running forums across the continent.

Lindsey Scherf, returns to the Tamarack Ottawa Race weekend to defend her 10k title May 25th Paul Gains Apr 24, 2013

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By Paul Gains
 
It wasn’t until she stood atop the winner’s podium at the 2012 Ottawa 10k that Lindsey Scherf realised the enormity of her accomplishment. 
 
Receiving $6,000 for her victory was one thing; realising Geoffrey Mutai, one of the world’s greatest distance runners had won the men’s race, was another. That’s certainly exalted company. 
 
Now, a year later, the 26 year old native of Westchester, New York is committed to defending the title she won with a time of 33:12.8.

Ruth Wanjiru Overcoming the Odds Paul Gains Apr 18, 2013

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by Paul Gains 

A year ago Ruth Wanjiru turned up to the Ottawa Marathon in fine form with victory and the winner’s purse of $20,000 USD on her mind. But midway through the race she tripped and fell to the pavement injuring her knee. She struggled home a disappointed third.

The 31-year-old Kenyan returns to this IAAF Silver Label race May 26th ready to battle with a world-class field and to capture the title she believes should have been hers in 2012. She puts the catastrophe down as a valuable learning experience and just another of the struggles she has overcome in her journey through international sport.

Lanni Marchant On Fire for Toronto Yonge Street 10km Paul Gains Mar 27, 2013

 

By Paul Gains

Five weeks of high altitude training in Kenya appears to have done Lanni Marchant the world of good as she has been setting the Canadian road racing scene alight.

Last weekend the London, Ontario native smashed the nine year old course record for the Around The Bay 30km race by almost a minute and a half finishing in a time of 1:44:40. That outstanding performance was preceded by a new personal best half marathon time in Nashville (1:12:17).