Posted: August 14, 2006

Athletics: B.C., runners Steve Osaduik and Lucy Smith win national half marathon titles

August 13th 2006, EDMONTON - Steve Osaduik of Nanaimo, B.C., and Lucy Smith of Victoria placed first in the men’s and women’s competition respectively on Sunday at the 2006 Canadian Half Marathon Championships. In the women’s 21 kilometre race, the 39-year-old Smith waged a tough battle with Edmonton resident Aster Demissie who won the race in one hour and 14:22 minutes.  However Demissie, an Ethiopian native, is not yet a Canadian citizen. Smith earned the Canadian title clocking 1:14:25 followed in order by Lisa Harvey of Calgary in 1:18:20, Tania Jones of Richmond Hill, Ont., in 1:18:28 and Leslie Gold of Montreal 1:20:51. Lioudmila Kortchaguina of Toronto, the national marathon champion in May, withdrew halfway through the race due to an injury. Smith has more than a dozen Canadian titles to her credit in events such as the duathlon and various 10 kilometre races.  In two weeks she’ll compete at Ironman Canada in Penticton, B.C. ‘’I’m still getting into top shape but I was pleased to finish so close to Aster and be competitive,’’ said Smith, 39, who had her second child in 2005.  ‘’I always feel national championships are very important races and I try and find a way to get to them.  I like to support these events.’’ The men’s 21 kilometre race was a three-way battle with Osaduik earning the victory in 1:07:27.  Jim Finlayson of Victoria was second in 1:07:36, Michael Booth of Winnipeg third in 1:07:47, Scott Simpson of Victoria fourth in 1:08:12 and Jason Warick of Saskatoon fifth in 1:08:36. ‘’It was a really tough race,’’ said Osaduik, 27, the 2004 champion. ‘’At 14 kilometres, I fell off the pace but I just put my head down and I was able to catch up.  I’m not totally surprised to win because I’m in good shape.  I’m glad I could run that strong.’’ The competition was part of the ING Edmonton Marathon Weekend. Sunday’s top-five finishers at the 2006 Canadian Half Marathon Championships in Edmonton Men: 1. Steve Osaduik, Nanaimo, B.C., one hour and 07 minutes and 21 seconds; 2. Jim Finlayson, Victoria, 1:07:36; 3. Michael Booth, Winnipeg, 1:07:47; 4. Scott Simpson, Victoria, 1:08:12; 5. Jason Warick, Saskatoon, 1:08:36. Women: 1. Aster Demissie, Edmonton, 1:14:22; 2. Lucy Smith, Victoria, 1:14:25; 3. Lisa Harvey, Calgary, 1:18:20; 4. Tania Jones, Richmond Hill, Ont., 1:18:28; 5. Leslie Gold, Montreal, 1:20:51.

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