Posted: December 5, 2004

Athletics: Simon Bairu Wins Third Straight Canadian Cross Country Title

Simon Bairu of Regina and Rebecca Stallwood of Burlington, Ont. won the men’s and women’s senior races respectively on Saturday at the Canadian cross country running championships held under windy conditions at Sunnybrook Park in Toronto.

In the men’s 10 kilometre race, Bairu took the gold in 29 minutes and 50 seconds. It was his third straight national title. Paul Morrison of Sherbrooke , Que., was second in 29:57, Reid Coolsaet of Guelph , Ont., third in 30:06 and Kevin Sullivan of Brantford , Ont., fourth in 30:16.

Two weeks ago Bairu won the NCAA cross country title for the University of Wisconsin . He used a similar strategy on Saturday by surging in the final two kilometres.

"I was afraid I was going to come out a little flat because the NCAA’s were so recent," said Bairu, 21, a 10,000 metre specialist on the track. "The race here was tough right off the bat and I just tried to hang on as best I could. For the most part I tried to make the other guys do the work then make my move."

In the women’s six kilometre senior race, Stallwood improved from last year’s ninth place finish to claim the gold in 20:25 . Malindi Elmore of Kelowna , B.C., was the runner-up for the second straight year in 20:44 and veteran Leah Pells of Coquitlam, B.C., was third in 20:52.

It was Stallwood’s first win at the Sunnybrook course since a victory at the high school provincials in 1996.

"I’ve gained a lot more confidence over the past year, that’s the biggest thing," said Stallwood, 26, an All American on the track at the University of West Virginia last season. "Plus I’ve been injury free of late. It’s nice to comeback here and get the win."

In the women’s junior five kilometre race, two-time national junior team member Danette Doetzel of Macklin, Sask., won the gold medal clocking 17:55 just beating Tarah McKay of Kitchener, Ont., in a photo finish. Kate Van Buskirk of Mississauga , Ont., was just a second behind for third.

"I had a little problem in the beginning where the course gets very narrow," said Doetzel, third last year and also the Canadian junior 3,000 metre champion this past summer on the track. "But other than that it was very good. The conditions were tough with the wind but in cross country you have to expect the unexpected."

In the men’s junior eight kilometre race, Jean-Claude Ndumingoma of Burundi was the winner in 24:13. Mike Woods of Ottawa took second and the Canadian title in 25.05 while Braden Novakowski of Kingston , Ont., was third in 25:17.

Saturday’s performances will help serve as selection criteria for the Canadian team at the world cross country running championships in March 2005.

Complete Results from RRResults.com.