102 Canadians qualify for inaugural AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships

The inaugural AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships, which were originally set to take place this spring at the London Marathon, (now rescheduled tentatively for October 4) will see 102 Canadians on the start line. The Age Group World Rankings launched at the 2018 Berlin Marathon, with masters runners accumulating points throughout the year at 50 qualifying marathons around the world. This year, 58 women and 44 men from Canada qualified for the event.

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Notable Canadian runners

Gerald Miller – M80+

The Calgary native is first place in his age category with 7,800 points. According to the Calgary Herald, Miller started running marathons at age 58, when his son convinced him, and he’s been hooked since. Miller will have run all six World Majors when he crosses the finish line in London.

Ann Currell – F60-64

The Mississauga resident is first place in her age category with 8,000 points. Some of those points came from her impressive Boston 2019 finish, where Currell was eighth in her age group in 3:31:18.

Alison Blackmore – F50-54

Blackmore is second place in her age category with 7,990 points. As part of the qualification process, the runner won also her age category at the 2019 London Marathon where she finished in 2:55:04. Blackmore is also the former Canadian W50 marathon record holder.

Josephine Mori-Stoodley – F50-54

The Richmond Hill native place third in her age category with 7,970 points. The runner finished the 2020 Chilly Half in 1:37:18, what was likely originally scheduled as a tune-up race for London.

RELATED: Canadian relay team sets masters 4x400m world record

For the running list of Canadians looking to qualify for the 2021 event, see here.