Natasha Wodak and Justin Kent crowned champions in the virtual 2020 Canadian 10K Championships

Canadians can try to beat the winning times of 28:52 and 32:41 to win prizes

Ottawa, July 2, 2020 – Vancouver’s Natasha Wodak remains Canada’s top 10K runner after winning the first ever virtual Canadian 10K Championships yesterday in a time of 32:41. She had taken first place last year in Ottawa with a time of 32:31. 

Meanwhile, last year’s runner up Justin Kent took first place with a personal best of 28:52. 

This unique event, presented by Run Ottawa and Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, was a fun way for organizers to replace the Canadian 10K Championships, set to take place on May 23, and give Canada’s elite runners an opportunity to win a little money and compete with one another. While the results are not officially sanctioned by Athletics Canada, the winners each took home $500 for first place with an equal amount going to their Scotiabank Charity Challenge charities of choice. 

Top 5 men

Last, first Time Race location Prize
Kent, Justin 28:52 Langley, BC $500 – Canadian Cancer Society
Bruchet, Lucas 29:17 Fernie, BC $400 – SchoolBOX
De Jong, Caleb 29:35 Langley, BC $300 –  Diabetes Canada
Morgan, Blair 29:49 Vancouver, BC $200 – OCISO 
Preisner, Ben 29:54 Kingston, ON $100 – Lung Cancer Canada

Top 5 women

Last, first Time Race location Amount
Wodak, Natasha 32:41 Vancouver, BC $500 – ALS Society of Canada
Cliff, Rachel 33:35 Vancouver, BC $400 – Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Labeaud, Natasha 34:25 San Diego, CA $300 – Canadian Celiac Association – Ottawa Chapter
Carson, Lindsay 34:38 Whitehorse, YK $200 – Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa
Woodhouse, Hannah 35:41 Guelph, ON $100 – Canadian Cancer Society

“This year has been extraordinary in so many ways that we really wanted an opportunity to engage with Canadian elite runners and give them a chance to compete against one another in some way,” said Dylan Wyles, Elite Athlete Organizer for the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. “Congratulations to all the runners who took part and we cannot wait to see them at the Start Line in Ottawa in 2021!”

View the full results

Beat the Champ for prizes! 

During the month of July, all Canadians have an opportunity to ‘Beat the Champ’ by running 10 x 1K intervals, and combining individual segments to beat the winning 2020 10K result of 28:52 (men) and 32:41 (women). Results can be uploaded until Friday, July 31 at 11:59 p.m., Eastern time. All competitors who best the champ’s time will be entered into a draw for a number of prizes provided by Athletics Canada. Details are available at www.runottawa.ca