Gillis and Marchant to run in the 2015 Canadian 10K Championships at the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend

Ottawa, April 8, 2015 – Canadian Olympian Eric Gillis and Canada’s fastest female marathoner Lanni Marchant are returning to Ottawa on May 23, 2015 to compete in the 2015 Canadian 10K Championships. The national 10K championships are held as part of the recently minted IAAF Gold label Ottawa 10K.

Eric Gillis won last year’s 10K championships (29:53) as well as the 2014 Canadian Marathon Championships held as part of the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon. He also came in in 22nd at the 2012 London Olympics. Lanni Marchant was the first Canadian woman to cross the finish line at last year’s Ottawa 10K race (33:14). She broke the 25-year record for fastest marathon on Canadian soil in 2013 (2:27:58).

The two will be heading a strong field of Canadian runners, all vying for a spot on the Chiba Ekiden Relay team, which will be travelling to Japan in the fall. The Ottawa 10K also offers over $60,000 in prize money.

Joining Gillis on the men’s side will be a strong field of competitors including 2014 Beer Mile World champion Corey Gallagher, and Toronto’s Matt Loiselle (29:17 PB).

The women’s field will also be very competitive with 2014 10K Canadian champion Rachel Hannah (33:09), who beat Marchant in that race. Joining Marchant and Hannah will be Rhiannon Johns who won the Canadian Marathon Championships in Ottawa last year (2:47:11).

The full list of confirmed Ottawa 10K elites, including both Canadian and international runners, will be released in early May.

The IAAF Gold label Ottawa 10K will take place Saturday, May 23 at 6:30pm as part of the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.

Quotes:

“The Canadian 10k Championships are proving to be a perfect fit with world class Ottawa 10k. We are expecting one of the deepest Canadian fields ever with top runners coming from across the country. This will allow Canada’s best to find out how they stack up against the world’s best while the rest can find out where they stand nationally.” – Manny Rodrigues, Elite Athlete Coordinator, Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend

“It is exciting to see our national champions, record holders and Olympians embracing the national road championships program. Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend is a world class event, we are looking forward to breaking the ice on the first ever IAAF Gold Label event in Canada.” – John Lofranco, Road Running Coordinator, Athletics Canada

“Thirteen yeas ago, the Ottawa 10k was my first road race outside of Nova Scotia; it holds a special place in my heart. I’m excited to confirm I’ll be back for the 2015 edition. The amazing crowds that come out to watch Saturday evening are my favourite feature of this race.” – Eric Gillis

“I can’t wait to race the Ottawa 10K in the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. Not only does it offer the most competitive 10K field on the Canadian soil, but this year it is also the Canadian Championship. I bypassed a spring marathon in order to focus on shorter distances, so the 10K will be a great test of my fitness before building up to the Pan-Am Games Marathon in July.” – Lanni Marchant

Photos : Victah Sailor, PhotoRun

About the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend

The 2015 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend will welcome 50,000 participants in six races, including the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon, the Scotiabank Half-Marathon, the Ottawa 10K, the HTG Sports 5K, the 2K and Scotiabank Kids Marathon. Two of the weekend’s events have received top honours from the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF). The Ottawa 10K is one of only four Gold label 10K races in the world, and the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon is designated Silver label. The 2015 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend will take place May 23-24, 2015. Visit us at www.runottawa.ca.

About Athletics Canada

Athletics Canada, the national governing body for track and field, cross-country and road running, provides world leading programs and services in athletics. Through collective leadership the association drives growth in participation, enables improved international performance and provides a positive experience for all in the sport.

For information or to request an interview:

Annie Boucher
boucher@fusecommunications.ca
613-863-3702
@aboucherfuse @ottawamarathon