Posted: October 16, 2005

Running: Athletics Canada names 2005 North American 5KM Road Team

(Ottawa) Athletics Canada announced today the team that will represent Canada at the 2005 North American 5K Road Team Championship. The 2005 North American 5K Road Team Championship will take place on Sunday October 23rd in Chula Vista, CA (USA).

 Men
Name, age, hometown, personal coach
Reid Coolsaet, 25, Hamilton, ON, Dave Scott-Thomas
Matthew Kerr, 27, Elora, ON, Peter Grinsbergs
Paul Morrison, 24, Gander, NF, Jason Vigilante

Women
Megan Metcalfe, 23, Edmonton, AB, Sean Cleary  
Émilie Mondor, 24, Mascouche, QC, Terrence Mahon/ Joe Vigil 
Tara Quinn-Smith, 26, Waterdown, ON,  Eddie Raposo/ Paul Poce

The team leader and head coach is Mike Van Tighem of Calgary, AB.

The North American 5K Road Team Championship is a competition between the United States, Mexico and Canada. All three countries are represented by a team of six athletes, three men and three women. The race uses a cross country scoring format where the first two (of three) runners of each gender, for each team score points.

As in previous years, the Canadians will be racing against strong competition. In last years event, Canada used a dominating 1-2 women’s finish by Olympian Emilie Mondor and Malindi Elmore and strong men’s showing by Reid Coolsaet (3rd place finish) and Ryan Mackenzie (6th place finish) to capture its first North American 5k Team Championship title. With Canada’s recent victory, each of the three continental rivals have now obtained a title in this showcase competition resulting in an exciting and much anticipated race this year.

“I am very pleased and excited about the quality of the team representing Canada this year at the 2005 North American 5K Team Championship” says Martin Goulet, Director of Endurance Programs of Athletics Canada. “We have selected the highest quality athletes, all of whom have an enormous amount of talent, experience and focus backed up with great credentials. I feel that this team is up to the challenge of defending last year’s performance with another stellar showing.”

The race is scheduled to begin at 10 am and will take place along the Chula Vista Harbour waterfront.

For more information regarding the event, please visit: EliteRacing.com.