Posted: May 31, 2004

Athletics: McInnis and Stevenson crowned Canadian marathon champions

May 30, 2004 OTTAWA - Matt McInnis of Toronto made his first ever marathon race a memorable one on Sunday morning. He placed seventh overall and was the top Canadian in the men’s race at the Canadian marathon championships, which was part of the 30th annual National Capital Race Weekend.

McInnis, 29, took the national title clocking 2:18:52.4 over 42 kilometres. Elly Rono of Kenya won the gold medal in 2:11:48.3. Mustapha Bennacer of Algeria was second in 2:12:04.0 and Aldredo Arevalo Reyes of Guatemala third in 2:12.53.0.

Bruce Deacon of Victoria was the next best Canadian in ninth at 2:20:15.3 and Steve Osaduik of Nanaimo, B.C., 11th in 2:24:27.8.

‘’I’m just happy that I felt good in the last 10 kilometres,’’ said McInnis, who is completing his studies in medicine at the University of Toronto. ‘’That’s the part of the race that is the most important. I had done a couple of half marathons and some training runs to test my fitness. That had gone pretty well so I was feeling confident but still pretty nervous.’’

In the women’s marathon, 31-year-old Nicole Stevenson of Toronto was the top Canadian placing third in 2:34:43.6. Russia was 1-2 with Lioudmila Kortchaguina first in 2:30:53.0 and Alevtina Biktimirova second in 2:32:15.6.

‘’Nicole was the favourite and she showed she’s our top marathon runner,’’ said Martin Goulet, the director for endurance programs for Athletics Canada. ‘’She’s shown a lot of consistency in her recent performances. And she has the potential to go a lot faster.’’

Carol Howe of Winnipeg was fourth in 2:37:31.4 and Kristina Rody of Whstler, B.C., fifth in 2:48:05.1.

Canada won’t have any entries in the marathon at the Olympic Games. Sunday’s race was the last opportunity to qualify. The standard to meet was 2:12:38 for the men and 2:28:14 for the women.

In the men’s 10 kilometre Canadian championship road race, Kenyan runners swept the first five spots. Duncan Kibet made a late surge in the final 20 metres to win by the narrowest of margins in 28 minutes and 59.8 seconds. Eric Chirchir was second in 28:59.9 and Henry Githuka third in 29:14.4.

Taylor Murphy of Guelph, Ont., was the top Canadian in seventh clocking 30:37.1 and earns his first career national title. Mike Musili of Hamilton was eighth overall in 30:40.7 and Stephen Drew of Ottawa ninth in 30:59.3

‘’This is something I didn’t expect at all,’’ said Murphy, runner-up in the event last year. ‘’It feels great. It’s a decent time, not spectacular. I put in a decent effort.’’

In the women’s 10 kilometre race, Aster Demissie, who lives in Edmonton and runs for Ethiopia, was the winner in 32:30.3. Just two weeks ago she won the gold medal at the Canadian half marathon championships.

Lucy Smith of Victoria won her sixth career Canadian 10 kilometre road title and 11th Canadian running crown overall, placing second in 32:52.1. Olympian Leah Pells of Coquitlam, B.C., was third in 33:28.8 and Tina Connelly of Port Coquitlam, the Canadian half marathon champion, fourth at 33:33.6.

‘’I wanted to run fast,’’ said Smith. ‘’I decided before the race I was capable of winning another nationals and I made it happen.’’