The 2013 edition of the Runners' Choice London Distance Series 1500m Night was a great success! The biggest event of the series, 1500m Night had 310 finishers that saw fifty-nine men go under 4:00.00 and 30 women under 4:42.00.
Gabriella Stafford (U. of Toronto T.C.) won the top section of the Women's High Performance in 4:24.03 with a very strong last 200m. Jamie Phelan (Laural Creek) who recently set the Canadian High School record placed second in 4:25.87 and Julie-Ann Staehli (Physi-Kult) was third in 4:27.93.
The Men's High Performance sections had twelve men go under 3:50.00 and ten of them being in the top section. Aaron Hendrikx (London Runner) held on for the win after making his move at the bell winning in 3:45.56. Mohamed Souleimen (Ottawa Lions) put in a very strong challenge for victory in the last 100m of the race to make it a very close finish. Souleimen finished second in 3:45.66. Chris Dulhanty (Speed River) also had a very strong last lap finishing third in 3:46.30.
If you missed out on any of the action at this year's 1500m Night check out the Trackie Group website for all the race videos. Since becoming an official event in 2009, 1500m Night has continued to grow and improve 1500m Personal Bests!
Sunday July 7th is the Forest City 5k and is the last meet of the 2013 Runners' Choice London Distance Series. The 800m, 5,000m and 4x800m will be the events at the last meet of the series.
In the 800m there are 4 men with seeds under 1:51.70. Scott Leitch (London Western) is the top seed with a 1:49.07 but will be in for a battle with Tyler Bartfai and Benoit Boulay both of Speed River seeded at 1:51.00. The pacer will aim to get through 600m in1:18-19 in the top section of the Men's 800m. On the women's side of the 800m, there are ten women with seeds at or under 2:17.00. Emma Tallman (Track North) is the top seed with her 2:10.43.
The 5,000m and the 4x800m will be the last events of the meet and the series. The Forest City 5k will begin at 7:15pm with the Women's 800m.
The Runners' Choice London Distance Series continues tomorrow, July 5, with 1500m Night. With over 300 athletes registered to compete this Friday, 1500m Night is the largest and most anticipated event of the series.
On the Women's side, there are twenty-seven Women set to go in the High Performance sections. There are 5 women with seeds under 4:26; Kate Harrison is the top seed and was this years Canadian Track and Field bronze medalist in the Women's 5,000m. She was also the 2012 Canadian Cross Country Championship silver medalist and 2011 Canadian Cross Country Champion. Jamie Phelan (Laural Creek) just finished up her High School career by setting the Canadian high school 1,500m record. Lydia Frost (Speed River) was a CIS medalist in the Women's 4x800 relay and represented Canada and the 2012 FISU Cross Country Championships. Gabriella Stafford (University of Toronto T.C.) is another athlete finishing up her High School career and was the 3000m OFSAA champion. Lindsay Carson (Athletics Toronto) represented Canada at the 2013 World Cross Country Championships and is a multiple CIS track and cross country medalist. The Women's High Performance section is going to be exciting with these five women getting after the 4:20 mark!
On the Men's side of competition, there are forty-five men under the High Performance standard of 3:58.00 including fourteen men under 3:50.00. Kyle Grieve (Greater Toronto) is the top seed with a 3:44.64, he was a Canadian Championships finalist this year in the 1500m and represented Canada at the 2012 World Junior Championships for 1500m. Other top seeds include Saheed Kahn (Central Toronto) who was a 1500m finalist at the Canadian Championships in 2009, 2010 and 2011 before moving up to 5,000m this year. Tommy Lecours (Speed River) is the CIS 2012 1000m Champion and record holder. Adam Kellar (Speed River) is the second all time New Brunswick runner for 1500m and a two time competitor at the Francophone Games. Yves Sikubwabo was the CIS Track and Field rookie of the year and silver medalist in the 1500m. Aaron Hendrikx (London Runner) was the bronze medalist in the Men's 5,000m at this year's Canadian Championships. Hendrikx also represented Canada at the 2012 World Junior Track and Field Championships in the 5,000m. Also in the top section of the Men's High Performance will be the three medalists over 1500m at this years OFSAA championships: Elijah Silvah (Phoenix), Alex Freemantle (Newmarket) and Scott Buttinger (Laural Creek). The top section in the Men's High Performance will be the best the RCLDS has ever seen.
Last year at 1500m Night there were forty-two men that broke 4:00.00 and forty-one women that broke 4:50.00. How many men can break the 4:00.00 and 3:50.00 barrier this year? How many women can break the 4:50.00 and 4:20.00 barrier this year?
If you are unable to attend the event at TD Waterhouse Stadium tomorrow evening, Trackie Group is covering the event live! You can also check out a great video on last years 1500m Night. The first race is scheduled to go off at 7:15pm. The Women's High Performance sections are scheduled to go at 9:45pm and the Men's High Performance sections are set to begin at 10:05pm. Runners' Choice London Distance Series shirts will be available for purchase at the event. As always, entry and parking is free, so come out and enjoy some great and fast 1500m races!