There was no shortage of fireworks on the course Tuesday morning as a group of determined Ottawa Lions athletes lit up the Canada Day Run in Kanata with a series of standout performances that etched their names into the Club’s all-time rankings.
Leading the charge in the 5km race was Charlie Mortimer, who delivered a commanding performance to take the overall men’s title in 15:28. The 17-year-old surged ahead early and never relinquished the lead, crossing the line 18 seconds clear of former Lion Nicholas Pedersen. The winning time not only sealed a decisive victory, but also vaulted Mortimer to #3 on the Club’s U18 all-time list, underscoring his rising presence in the local distance scene.
Joining Mortimer in the top-10 were teammates Jay Sneddon, 7th in 17:08, and Fred Parent, 10th in 17:42 — a strong collective showing for the Lions in a deep field.
On the women’s side, Ciara Villeneuve stepped up in more ways than one. Typically known for her success over 800 metres during the high school season, the transition to 5km proved no issue as she emerged as the top female finisher, placing 5th overall in 20:58. Jacqueline Aubin added another solid result for the club, finishing 10th in 21:37.
In the 10km event, Dean Kontogiannis added another strong result to his breakout year, finishing 7th overall in 36:57. The performance moved him to #6 on the Club’s U20 all-time list, continuing his upward trajectory at the longer distances.
Perhaps the most eye-catching result of the day came from 13-year-old Jaiden Taft, who impressed in his 10km debut with a 41:14 clocking — good for 19th overall. The effort places him #5 all-time among U16 athletes in Club history and marks an exciting start as he prepares to enter high school in the fall.
From breakthrough performances to historic milestones, the Lions used the Canada Day stage not just to race — but to rise.