Rob Watson put on quite a show Wednesday night in his hometown of London, Ontario. Watson in a largely solo effort ran the second fastest time of his life and narrowly missed the World Championships B standard of 8:33, in the men's 3000 meter steeplechase. Watson's clocking of 8:34.32 shattered his own meet record by nearly 25 seconds.
Watson's run was one of many highlights for the Speed River Track and Field Club at the meet. Courtney Laurie joined Watson in the winner's circle leading four Speed River athletes in the top six of the women's 5000 meters with her 16:50 clocking. Laurie's teammates Rachel Cliff (17:01), Robyn Mildren (17:16) and Karoline Hoy (17:23) all recorded life time bests. The 5000 meters was a great event for the group as the men also placed two athletes in the top five, as Derek Snider (14:31) and Steve Koziarski (14:42) finished third and fifth respectively also recorded life time bests.
The meet also marked the return to Canadian racing for Hilary Stellingwerff. Stellingwerff, the two time defending Canadian 1500 meter champion and is primarily based in Europe, placed second in the women's 800 meters with a time of 2:08.24. Stellingwerff's club mates Nadine Frost and Sophia Chow finished fourth and sixth respectively in the 800 meters, with Frost recording a life time best of 2:11.68.
Men Open 800 Meters
4 Dustin Gamble 85 SPEED RIVER 1:53.92
Men 5000 Meter
3 Derek Snider 85 SPEED RIVER 14:31.93
5 Steve Koziarski 84 SPEED RIVER 14:42.61
Men 3000 Meter Steeple
1 Robin Watson 83 SPEED RIVER 8:34.32
2 Matthew Brunsting 87 SPEED RIVER 9:02.10
5 Nigel Wray 82 SPEED RIVER 9:32.98
6 Cody Murray 86 SPEED RIVER 9:43.33
Women 800 Meter
2 Hilary Stellingwerff 81 SPEED RIVER 2:08.24
4 Nadine Frost 90 SPEED RIVER 2:11.68
6 Sophia Chow 82 SPEED RIVER 2:13.07
Women 5000 Meter
1 Courtney Laurie 88 SPEED RIVER 16:50.79
2 Rachel Cliff 88 SPEED RIVER 17:01.97
4 Robyn Mildren 90 SPEED RIVER 17:16.62
6 Karoline Hoy 89 SPEED RIVER 17:23.98
Chris Moulton
University of Guelph
Track and Field
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