Copyright Brian Rouble/Shuttered Moments

Cassidy finishes fifth in Boston Marathon

by Internationallinkinbio

While Monday marked the 128th running of the Boston Marathon, it was the 14th time Josh Cassidy had taken his position on the startling line of the renowned event  in the suburb of Hopkinton, MA. The three-time Paralympian would be fifth across the finish line in the wheelchair division, achieving a remarkable time of 1 hour 26 minutes and 15 seconds under near perfect conditions.

The Boston Marathon course is known for its rapid start, with a 100-ft elevation drop in the first half-mile. Cassidy wasted no time, swiftly propelling himself from 20th to fourth place, reaching speeds of up to 65 km/h on the initial downhill stretch. “You want to build momentum quickly, so I was pleased with my strong start,” Cassidy shared on Instagram, reflecting on his performance.

Throughout the race, Cassidy maintained a steady pace, fluctuating between fourth and eighth positions. With just 5 kilometres to go, the race intensified into an all-out sprint as Cassidy found himself neck-and-neck with Japanese racers Sho Watanabe and Kota Hokinoue. Watanabe would ultimately finish five seconds ahead in fourth place, while Hokinoue crossed the line four seconds later in sixth place.

Looking ahead, Cassidy sees Monday’s race as a turning point in his season. “It was a challenging start to the marathon season in Tokyo and L.A.,” he remarked in a post-race Instagram video. “Though there’s still ground to cover to reach the top, I’m proud of the progress made in just a few weeks.”

Cassidy’s marathon journey continues as he sets his sights on the upcoming London Marathon this weekend in the UK.

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Lions Athletes Shine Across North America

by InternationallinkinbioUniversity

January ended with a bang this past weekend with a number of Lions athletes putting up a series of outstanding performances.

Kevin Robertson made history by becoming just the fifth runner in the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club’s history, and the first since 2006, to break the 8-minute barrier for the 3000 metres. Robertson’s remarkable achievement was marked by a stellar time of 7:59.58, securing him a commendable 10th place finish in a highly competitive field.

Sydney Smith also showcased her outstanding talent, clocking an impressive time of 2:42.43 in the 1000 metres, which earned her a notable 5th place finish. Smith’s performance was not only a personal best but also shaved more than 5 seconds off her previous record. This remarkable feat catapulted Smith to second position on the Club’s all-time list, behind only Melissa Bishop-Nriagu.

“We are immensely proud of Kevin Robertson and Sydney Smith for their outstanding performances at the John Thomas Terrier Classic,” said head coach Richard Johnston. “Their dedication, hard work, and relentless pursuit of excellence exemplify the values of our club. We congratulate them on their remarkable achievements and look forward to witnessing their continued success through the rest of the season.”

Meanwhile, at the McGill Team Challenge, Adelle MacLeod and Connor Fraser made their mark with three new Carleton Ravens records.

Adelle MacLeod kicked off her meet by etching her name in the Carleton record books as the first woman to break the 11-metre barrier, achieving an impressive jump of 11.01 metres on Friday. She followed this remarkable feat on Saturday by equalling the school long jump record with a stellar leap of 5.00 metres, further solidifying her standout rookie season.

Connor Fraser showcased his remarkable strength and skill in the shot put event, adding 7 centimetres to his own Carleton Ravens record with an impressive heave of 15.27 meters to place third.

In Louisville, Kentucky, Maddie Seaby, currently completing her first year of studies at the University of Louisville, delivered an exceptional performance at the PNC Lenny Lyles Meet. Seaby ran a 12-second personal best of 9:43.34 to secure a fifth-place finish, making her the 8th fastest junior woman at 3000 metres and the 43rd woman in Club history to break the 10-minute barrier.

The varsity programs return to action on Friday as they head to Harvard University for the Crimson Elite meet before heading across town to the Scarlett and White meet at Boston University on Saturday.

McGill Results

Photos

Ottawa Lions Rankings

University of Ottawa Gee-Gee Rankings

Carleton Ravens Rankings

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Four Lions Coaches to Represent Canada in 2024

by Internationallinkinbio

Congratulations to Lions coaches Glenroy Gilbert, Leslie Estwick, Darrin Reesal, and Gordon Cavé on recently being named to Team Canada positions for the 2024 competition year.

Gilbert, as Athletics Canada’s Head Coach, will lead the national senior team in to multiple championships in 2024 culminating with the Olympic Games in Paris next August.

For the the first time in our Club history, the Lions will have three coaches representing Canada at the World Athletics U20 Championships.

A national team veteran, Estwick, will lead the jumps group at the Championship.

The World U20 Championships will be Gordon Cavé’s third national team assignment. He previously served as a sprints coach at the 2022 NACAC Senior Championships and was scheduled to be on the staff at the 2023 World University Games before Canada pulled it’s entry.

For long time throws coach Darrin Reesal, this will be his first national team assignment. However, Reesal is no stranger to international competition as he served as Tim Nedow’s personal coach for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Congratulations to all four coaches on their well earned assignments!

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Christie-Galloway and Evans finish 8th and 12th respectively at Pan American Games

by Internationallinkinbio

The 19th edition of the Pan American Games concluded on a chilly Sunday evening at Parque Bicentenario in Santiago, Chile. This two-week multi-sport extravaganza saw Canada achieve its second-best medal haul in a non-home Games, with two standout athletes, Keira Christie-Galloway and Stephen Evans, using the platform as a stepping stone towards the upcoming Olympic Games.

Keira Christie-Galloway, a talented hurdler, was the first to hit the track in Santiago. She delivered a solid performance during the 100-meter hurdle semi-final on Halloween night. Qualifying for the final, Keira finished third in her race with a time of 13.36 seconds.

Following her heat, Keira shared her thoughts with Martin Cleary of Ottawa Sport Pages, saying, “I felt good. I went into the race thinking I’ll run my own race and execute. I got out and had a clean race.”

However, the following night presented a stark contrast in weather conditions, as temperatures dropped by 10 degrees Celsius to a chilly 11 degrees, accompanied by rain. In a race where none of the runners managed to break the 13-second barrier, Keira finished in 8th place with a time of 13.60 seconds.

Last Friday night, it was Stephen Evans’ turn to shine. Competing for Canada for the first time, the 800-meter club record holder showcased his talents on the international stage, securing a fourth-place finish in the first of three semi-finals.

As the runners hit the bell lap, Evans was only two-tenths of a second behind the leader. Despite making strong surges in the final 200 meters, the 27-year-old couldn’t secure one of the two automatic qualifying positions, finishing with a time of 1 minute and 48.98 seconds. Evans’ result would place him 12th overall in the final standings.

The performances from Keira and Stephen at the Pan American Games serve as a promising indication of their potential in the lead-up to next summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.

(Langley, Canada---28 July 2023) Keira Christie-Galloway competing on day two of the Canadian Track and Field Championships at the MacLeod Athletic Park Stadium. Copyright 2023 Miles Ryan Rowat/ Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Christie-Galloway set to cap off long season at Pan Am Games

by Internationallinkinbio

333 days. That’s how many days it’s been since Keira Christie-Galloway stepped on to the track at Clemson University to open her 2022-23 competition season. Tonight she steps on to the track in the Julio Martinez National Stadium in Santiago, Chile for the opening round of the 100 metre hurdles at the Pan American Games. 

For Keira, by all accounts, this competition year has been a long one, but she’s found the necessary balance to feel rested heading into her second Pan Am Games, while still staying sharp. She attributes much of her preparation to mental strength and just showing up everyday as well as taking the necessary space to do the things she enjoys on the weekend.

“It is important to have balance,” says Christie-Galloway of her approach to this long season. ”For me that looks like cooking and baking, which has helped me ground myself in preparation for the games.”

She admits that she is looking forward to taking some time to rest after a long season that has seen her step into the starting blocks nearly 30 times.

As a graduate student-athlete at Grand Canyon University in Arizona, Keira re-wrote the Antelopes record book in what was her final year of NCAA competition. The Arizona State graduate broke the GCU indoor hurdles mark in February with a run of 8.17 seconds that equalled her four-year old best. Outdoors got even faster as she blazed her way to a time of a lifetime best of 13.01 to win the Western Athletic Conference outdoor title. 

After qualifying for her second NCAA Championship, Keira’s summer season remained relatively quiet in the lead-up to Santiago. Just two races at the Canadian Championships in Langley, where she finished fourth.

While not competing, she did have the opportunity to join her partner Turner Washington at the World Championships in Hungary. Washington was a member of Team USA in the discus after placing second at their national championships. 

Sharing Turner’s experiences throughout the season and witnessing his achievement of competing at the World Championships has been a valuable source of inspiration and support for Keira in her preparations for Santiago. 

“We have leaned on each other a lot this past season and I have been able to accomplish a lot with his support.”

As she heads into tonight’s race, Keira can draw upon her past experiences. Four years ago in Lima, Peru she was the youngest member of Canada’s athletics team at just 19 years old. She says her take away from the Championship was to run her own race and be confident in her own abilities.

Keira’s semi-final is scheduled for 5:25 pm Eastern, where she will be running to qualify for Wednesday’s final.

“I hope to take in this opportunity and really cherish the memories I will be making.”

You can watch Keira compete live on CBC Gem.

Copyright Brian Rouble/Shuttered Moments

Cassidy finishes 5th in Chicago Marathon

by InternationallinkinbioUniversity

While the fall conjures up ideas of a cross country season, it also features some top notch road racing opportunities. Making a good use of one of those opportunities was Joshua Cassidy who rolled his way to a fifth place finish in the Chicago Marathon. 

With a time of 1:33:29, Cassidy put up his fastest marathon performance since 2019, finishing less than two minutes off the podium. The two-time Paralympian will be at it again Sunday morning as he takes to the streets of Toronto for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon where he will be looking to defend his title from a year ago. 

In cross country, Maddie Seaby helped her Louisville Cardinals to an 11th place finish on Friday at the Arturo Barrios Invitational in College Station, Texas. Seaby, who is in her first year with the Cardinals, finished the six kilometre course in a time of 20 minutes and 51.5 seconds to place 64th overall in the field of 385. 

Staying south of the border, Louise Stonham placed 15th this morning at the Highlander Invitational in Riverside, California. Stonham completed the six kilometre run in 20 minutes and 51.8 seconds to help Long Beach State University to the women’s team title. 

Closer to home, Elizabeth Vroom helped the Queen’s Gaels to fourth place finish at the Bayfront Open in Hamilton. Vroom was the second scorer for the Gaels, placing 21st over the eight kilometre course. Freya Hurst was 65th overall for the Gaels. 

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Robertson wins NACAC U23 steeplechase title

by Internationallinkinbio

Standing atop the podium, clad in red and white. The loud speakers belting out the best instrumental version of “O’ Canada”.  It’s the moment most athletes in Canada aspire to realise. On Sunday afternoon, standing inside the Estadio Nacional in San Jose, Costa Rica Kevin Robertson got his moment. 

Competing at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Under-23 Championships, Robertson took home top spot in the men’s 3000 metre steeplechase. The Syracuse University student won in a time of 9 minutes and 4.77 seconds – a comfortable six seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. 

True to form for championship running, Sunday’s pace was far behind Robertson’s Club U23 record of 8:37.26. However, as the bell rang to signal the final lap of the competition Robertson took off, unleashing a powerful kick that produced a closing lap of less than 60 seconds that cemented his victory. 

Also seeing action in the steeplechase was Derek Strachan, who was competing in the U18 NACAC Championship being held alongside the U23 event. Unfortunately for the 17-year-old, he was just one of two entrants in the men’s 2000 metre steeplechase – rendering the event an exhibition. The Glebe Collegiate student finished the event in a time of 6 minutes and 26.97 seconds – three seconds behind Jean Carlos Soza of Nicaragua.

On Saturday, David Adeleye lined up in the finals of the U23 men’s 110 metre hurdles event. The University of Toronto student would finish fifth in a time of 14.13 seconds – about two-tenths off his Club U23 record.

Both Adeleye and Robertson are scheduled to return to action this weekend at the Bell Canadian Track and Field Championships in Langley, BC. You’ll be able to follow all the action at home on athleticscanada.tv or via live results on live.athletics.ca.

World Para Athletics Championships, Paris 2023. July 9 2023. Bianca BORGELLA (CAN), 100m T13 heats

Borgella wins bronze at World Para Athletics Championship

by Internationallinkinbio

On July 7, 2021 we got a sneak peak of what the future had in store. That Wednesday evening in Ottawa at a Twilight Meet, Bianca Borgella broke the Canadian T13 record in the women’s 100 metres. It was her first time racing the distance in a Lions uniform and was the first in a string of Canadian records for the University of Ottawa student.

Today, Borgella added another title to her growing track resume – World Championship medalist. The 20-year-old sprinter placed third in the T13 100 metres with a time of 12.16 seconds at the World Para Athletics Championship taking place in Paris, France this week. 

“I’m really happy with the result,” said Borgella of today’s run. “Not the time that I was expecting, but as it being my first world, I’m just happy that I’m able to experience it and take home a bronze in the end.”

Bianca had entered the Championship as a medal favourite with her Canadian record time of 12.12 seconds from earlier this season topping the world rankings prior to the Championship. 

She would be knocked out of that spot in the rankings in Sunday’s semi-final when Azerbaijan’s Lamiya Valiyeva took top spot in 11.89 seconds with Borgella close behind in a new Canadian record of 12.03 seconds. 

For Borgella, today’s result appears to be just another stepping stone on her journey in athletics. 

“All I can do is my best for that day and hopefully the next day just be stronger and keep training and work harder. And one day bring back a gold in the 100.”

Borgella will return to action at the Championships early on Tuesday as she is scheduled to compete in the T13 200 metre semi-finals at 4:14am Eastern time.

For results, visit the International Paralympic Committee page.

The championships can be live streamed on the IPC YouTube page.

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Four Lions named to Team Canada

by Internationallinkinbio

Summer plans for Derek Strachan, David Adeleye, Kevin Robertson, and John McGowan all now include a trip down south. The four gentlemen were included among the 57 athletes named by Athletics Canada’s to represent the red and white at the NACAC U18 and U23 Championships in Costa Rica as well as the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago. 

Strachan will be Canada’s lone steeplechaser at the NACAC U18 Championships. The Glebe student qualified by way of his personal best effort this past weekend at the OFSAA Track and Field Championships. A grade 11 student, Strachan placed fifth in the 2000 metre steeplechase event on Friday in a time of 6 minutes and 11.57 seconds. Strachan becomes the Club’s first steeplechaser to be named to a national Under-18 team.

Joining Strachan in Costa Rica will be Adeleye and Robertson. For both athletes, this will not be the first time either has donned the red and white in international competition, although it will be a first for each on the track. 

Adeleye, who will race the 110 metre hurdles in Costa Rica, is no stranger to international competition having represented Canada in 2019 as a member of the national Under-18 rugby squad. The University of Toronto student is coming off a strong indoor season that saw him set a new Club U23 record in the 60 metre hurdles. More recently, Adeleye dropped a personal best run of 13.92 seconds late last month at the Bob Vigars Classic.

The last time Kevin Robertson put on a Team Canada singlet he was battling difficult terrain at the Pan Am Cross Country Championships. This time, he’ll only have to contend with some barriers and a water pit as he lines up in the 3000 metre steeplechase. Robertson, a junior at Syracuse, is coming off an outstanding collegiate season where he earned All-American status following his 12th place finish at the NCAA Championships. In addition, Robertson set a new Club U23 record earlier this spring with an impressive 8:37.26 clocking.

Rounding out the list of national team members is John McGowan, who is headed to the island of Trinidad and Tobago to run the 100 metres at the Commonwealth Youth Games. A grade 11 student at St. Michael’s in Kemptville, McGowan qualified for the team by virtue of his winning 10.75 clocking at the East Regional High School Championship. McGowan, who had a best of 11.55 seconds entering the 2023 season, recently finished fifth at the OFSAA Track and Field Championships.

The NACAC U18/U23 Championships are scheduled for July 21-23 in San Jose while the Commonwealth Youth Games will run from August 4 to 11 in Port of Spain.

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Borgella starts season on top of the world

by Internationallinkinbio

Best in the world. That’s how Bianca Borgella kicked off her season yesterday. The University of Ottawa student blasted out of the blocks Saturday at the LSU Alumni Gold meet in Baton Rouge to record a pair of new personal bests in both the 100 and 200 metres within the span of a couple of hours. 

In Louisiana as part of an Athletics Canada training camp, Borgella recorded times of 12.31 and 25.31 seconds respectively over the 100 and 200 metre events. While placing in the bottom half of the hotly contested Southeastern Conference fields, the 20-year-old’s performances now rank her among the best on the planet in the World Para Athletics T13 category.

Borgella has Leber congenital amuarosis, a term covering a group of inherited diseases that affect the retina during early childhood, causing severe vision loss or blindness. 

Since receiving her T13 classification in early 2021, Borgella has emerged as a dominant force in Canadian Para running, having re-written the national record book multiple times in every event from 100 through 400 metres. Saturday’s performances were both national record times, and also have Bianca ranked second globally in the T13 100 metres and in top spot on the planet in the T13 200 metres. 

While she leads the world at 200 metres, don’t expect to see her next summer at the Paralympic Games running the half lap event. The women’s T13 200 metres did not make the cut for next year’s Games, but don’t fret as we expect Bianca to be donning the red and white in both the 100 and 400 metre events. 

Before next year’s adventure, she’ll get a trial run at this summer’s World Para Athletics Championship – also to be held in Paris.