Clocking at number eight on our countdown off the top ten Lions performers at the OFSAA Cross Country Championships is the most aptly named runner in the sport – Joe Fast. The recent graduate of Ridgemont High School was a always a threat to be on the podium and ended his high school career with two gold medals from the provincial championship.
Fast burst on the scene in grade nine, running his way to victory in every competition he entered that fall. After a dominating 25 second victory over club mate Zachary Meredith at the city championship, Fast entered OFSAA as a favourite to walk away with a medal. After sitting on the early race leader past the half way mark of the 4km race, Fast used his trademark kick to pull away from the field and strike out on his own. He would cruise to a comfortable 11 second victory over Meredith.
They say history has a way of repeating itself and a year later in Petawawa, the junior boys race at OFSAA certainly had a familiar feel about it. While the crowd around him was different, Fast again held in with the lead back through the bulk of the race before making his move away from the field. Although one runner did attempt to stay with him, the best he could hope for was keeping Fast in eyesight as Joe picked up his second gold in as many years, winning by 12 seconds.
It wasn’t all sunshine and lollipops for Fast though. After encountering the effects of some over training at the start of the grade 11 season, Fast and his coaches made the decision he would drastically cut back on his training. However, Fast maintained his desire to run cross country with his Ridgemont teammates. So, on his grit and speed, he helped lead his team back to OFSAA for a third straight year where he finished 49th overall.
After allowing his body to recover, Fast made one final run for the OFSAA podium last fall in Sudbury. Turns out when he got there, he may have been better prepared had he brought his skis than his spikes. Nonetheless, Fast ended his high school running career with a top five finish, 19 seconds off the podium.
Fast is currently in his first year of studies at Princeton University. While COVID-19 has meant virtual learning for the Ivy League school, we hear Fast is doing his online schooling from London where he is training with fellow Princeton Tiger Josh Zelek and Stanford’s Evan Burke in preparation for his eventual return to competition.