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TORONTO. April 7th, 2007. Kenyan Thomas Omwenga returned to Toronto today
with a quality performance and a comfortable win at the 29th Annual Harry's
Spring Run Off 8K, on a chilly morning [minus 5c] in High Park, ahead of a
record, sold-our crowd of 2,500 runners. Another sell-out record of 1,500
participated in the 5K that followed. The events marked "Opening Day" for Canada
Running Series '07 in the East.
After a poor performance [2:21]at last September's Scotiabank Toronto
Waterfront Marathon, where he was not fully fit after a summer-time injury, Omwenga
returned to town determined to make amends, and did not disappoint. He took
charge early and led from start to finish. By the time he completed the first
loop on West Road and headed down Spring Road Hill at the 1 mile mark, he
already had some separation from a trailing pack that included Ottawa's Joseph
Nsengiyumva, Toronto's Danny Kassap, and Montreal's Bagdad Rachem. Omwenga was
a comfortable 4:48 at the mile, and he cruised from there at his marathon
pace, to finish in 24:24. "Little Joe" Nsengiyumva was the only one who tried
to stay close, and his 2nd place finish in 24:49 gave proof that he will be a
force to contend with in this year's Series. Kassap finished 3rd, another 9
seconds back [24:58], Rachem 4th in 25:05, and Waterloo's Stephen Drew 5th in
25:13, after a good battle for the places.
On the women's side, Newmarket Huskies' Megan Brown also had things all her
own way, with an easy win in 28:05, from Pauline Githuka [28:36], one of the
Kenyan's now living and working year-round in Milton, and Kingston's Paula
Wiltse a distant 3rd in 29:45.
Besides the record field of 4,000 participants, the biggest winners on the
day were perhaps Princess Margaret Hospital, who were the recipients of the
$360,000 raised for prostate cancer research by the event. Harry Rosen CEO,
Larry Rosen, raised almost $30,000 himself, and "Team Coppley", a supplier to
Canada's premier men's wear retailer, raised an impressive $108,000 of the
total. Team Pepsi were the fastest Team on the day, and the competition was so
deep, that a tie [pun intended] had to be declared in the "Best Dressed"
category
For race photos visit: www.canadarunningseries.com
Between the first-edition Harry's Spring Run Off 8K in Vancouver
[March 11th], and Harry's Toronto race today, almost half a million dollars
has been raised for prostate cancer by Harry Rosen and the first two events
of CRS'07--not a bad start!
Upcoming dates--don't miss:
1. "Opening Week Blitz", online registration for NEW Nissan Toronto Ten
Miler & 5K [to be run July 15th] opens at midnight, Sunday night, April 8th
[tomorrow!], with discounts of 40%, 30% and 20% in the first week. Cap is 1500 for
10 Miler and 1000 for the 5K.
www.canadarunningseries.com/nissan/index.htm.
2. Banque Scotia 21K de Montreal & 5K, April 22nd. A fabulous get-away
weekend in Montreal with super hotel/travel deals, in support of Juvenile Diabetes.
www.canadarunningseries.com/monthalf/index.htm.
3. Sporting Life 10K. Join the 9,000 in the charge down Canada's most-famous
street for Camp Ooch. Bands every mile, plus Paul James Band at the Finish!
www.canadarunningseries.com/sportinglife/index.htm.
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