Geoff Harris: 800m

Name: Geoff Harris
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Club: Halifast
Coach: Heather Hennigar
Age: 25
Personal Best: 1:46.12

Geoff Harris officially qualified for the Olympics on June 30 after a successful win at the Canadian Trials in Calgary. Leading up to this event, Harris had to run the “B” Olympic qualifying time of 1:46.30 twice and hope that no one else had run the “A” standard time of 1:45.24. Because no one achieved the “A” standard, Harris qualified with ‘Rising Star’ status.

Harris began running in elementary school and continued through high school. During high school, Harris took home 20 provincial championships and two records. Rather then heading to the U.S. like other competitive athletes, Harris stayed and attended Dalhousie University under coach Dan Hennigar. Throughout his youth, Harris was primarily a sprinter however transitioned to middle distance running under Hennigar. Harris won the 600m CIS championship in his rookie season and in 2006 was the fastest junior in North America. His first international experience for Team Canada was in Beijing at the 2006 world junior championships. By 2009, Harris had competed on three more national teams.

Related Links:
Harris, Ellerton complicate selection process
Live chat replay: Nate Brannen and Geoff Harris

Harris hadn’t run a single Olympic standard until May when he ran both “B” standards and set five personal bests in a row. It included a tumble at the Victoria National Track League race.

In 2010, Harris travelled to New Zealand and trained with Chris Pilone who had also trained Olympic gold medalist Hamish Carter. Harris credits much of his success over the past few months to fellow Olympian Nathan Brannen, who will be competing in the 1500m. Brannen and Harris have been roommates and training partners for off-day runs. After the Trials, Harris noted that they will be rooming together in London, an added bonus for this speedy duo.