Running in Red at the Scotiabank Canada Day Road Races
Grey skies and a bit of rain didn’t stop over 1700 runners from kicking off their holiday celebrations at the Scotiabank Canada Day Road Races presented by Bushtukah.
It was a celebration for all ages, as more than 1000 runners decked out in red Canada-themed running gear took on the 10K and 5K races, while over 500 young runners ran in the 1.5K fun run and the 100 metre trot tot.
As the winning times below attest, the race also drew some of the speediest local runners who put on some great performances.
For many in Ottawa’s running community, the Canada Day races have become an annual tradition.
Lawrence Williams, who ran in the 5K, hung up all his shirts from past Canada Day races along finish line, a collection that stretches back almost 20 years. For Williams, the Canada Day race signifies more than just a holiday.
“This event was my first road race ever, so every year has been special for me,” he said. “Now it’s just become a Canada Day tradition.”
Cynthia Field-Rose, Laurie Shusterman and their friends were running in the day’s 10K race for the first time and they said they can’t wait to make the race a new tradition of their own.
“It was a great atmosphere,” Field-Rose said. “Even with the weather, it was a good crowd and a ton of fun.”
“We’ll be back next year,” Shusterman added. “Maybe wearing even more red.”
Be sure to check out RunOttawa.ca for future races, like the brand new 5/15 Farm Run coming up on July 15.
Here are the winners from this year’s 5K and 10K races:
Male 5K
1 – Kieran Day 15:59.1
2 – Alexander Maxwell 16:12.5
3 – Jonathan Favero 16:24.1
Female 5K
1 – Erin O’Higgins 18:39.6
2 – Tara Smith 19:02.4
3 – Emily Maclean 19:19.8
Male 10K
1 – Johana Kariankei 32:07.5
2 – Alex Berhe 32:39.3
3 – Kyle Desormeaux 32:53.9
Female 10K
1 – Isabelle Kanz 39:29.3
2 – Kuniko Soda 39.39.1
3 – Janine Stewart 40:47.2
For all 5K results, click here.
For all 10K results, click here.