Posted: March 27, 2009  :

Athletics: Canadians ready for the World tomorrow in Jordan

OTTAWA -- Canada's Cross Country team is ready to take on the world tomorrow at the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships taking place in Amann, Jordan. Canadians will be looking for strong performances in individual events as well as placing well in the overall team standings. Mohammed Ahmed of St. Catherines, ON, Catherine Cormier of New Richmond, QC, and Geneviève Lalonde of Moncton, NB were the top Canadians at the NACAC Cross Country Championships held earlier this month in Florida and will all be looking to make an impact on the world scene. Lalonde led the women's junior team to victory and placed 1st individually. Canadian World Cross Country Championships roster: 2009 World XC -- Team Lists March 28, 2009 Amman, Jordan Name Hometown Personal Coach Club SENIOR MEN 1. Joël Bourgeois Grand-Digue, NB Independent Unattached 2. Derek Nakluski Kitchener, ON Terry Goodenough Toronto Olympic Club 3. Alex Genest Sherbrooke, QC Vincent Paquet Phoenix 4. Saheed Khan Toronto, ON David Christiani Toronto Olympic Club SENIOR WOMEN 1. Chantell Widney Edmonton, AB Glen Playfair Edmonton Thunder 2. Catherine Cormier New Richmond, QC Kaven Després Rouge et Or 3. Marilyn Arsenault Victoria, BC Jon Brown Unattached 4. Rachelle Malette Windsor, ON Andy Hahn Windsor Legion 5. Chantelle Wilder London, ON Steve Weiler London Runner JUNIOR MEN 1. Mohammed Ahmed St. Catharines, ON Stuart Galloway Niagara Olympic Club 2. Aleksandr Kuternin Toronto, ON Paul Poce Toronto Olympic Club 3. Nyjal Majock Calgary, AB Christine Laverty / Jason Lindsay CALTAF 4. James Leakos Saskatoon, SK RossAnn Edwards / Mark Leakos Riverdale Athletics 5. John Paul Malette Windsor, Ontario Gary Malloy Windsor Legion 6. Mattias Wolter Bridgewater, NS Tanya Daniels Bluenose Athletics JUNIOR WOMEN 1. Genevieve Lalonde Moncton, NB Joël Bourgeois Aestus 2. Justine Johnson Victoria, BC Brent Fougner Pacific Athletics 3. Tamara Jewett Toronto, ON Jill Mallon University Toronto Track Club 4. Chelsea Graham Edmonton, AB Glen Playfair Edmonton Thunder 5. Caroline Pfister Sherbrooke, QC Simon Croteau Sherbrooke, QC 6. Stephanie Aldea Windsor, ON Ryan Turner Unattached SUPPORT STAFF Position Name Hometown Team Leader Thelma Wright Vancouver, BC Head Coach David Christiani Toronto, ON Team Coach Glen Playfair Edmonton, AB Team Manager Christopher Moulton Guelph, ON Team Physician Dr. Shelby Karpman Edmonton, AB Physiotherapist Connie Beukeboom Collingwood, ON Joël Bourgeois of Grand-Digue, NB returns to the World Cross Country Championships for a 13th time (1990, 1992, 1997 to 2005, 2008 and 2009), the most by any entrant this year. Paul McCloy holds the all-time Canadian record with an astounding 15 appearances. Schedule (Local Time) Junior Women 6km 14:30 Junior Men 8km 15:00 Senior Women 8km 15:40 Senior Men 12km 16:30 The 2000 World Cross Country Championships in Portugal were the largest ever with 806 athletes from 76 countries. This year's edition will feature 508 athletes from 50 countries. For more information please visit: Athletics.ca. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest