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2018 Canadian National Track and Field Championships Preview

Must-see races at the track and field National Championships this weekend

Nate Brannen
Canadian track championships
Jessica O’Connell competes in the women’s 5000m final at the Athletics Canada 2016 Track and Field Trials at Foote Field in Edmonton on July 7.

This year’s event is drawing some of Canada’s biggest track names: De Grasse, Brown, Smellie, and Stafford. 

The 2018 Canadian National Track and Field Championships are underway in Ottawa. The championships are also the Canadian trials for the NACAC Track and Field in the 6ix Championships in Toronto later this summer. 

RELATED: The impending 5,000m showdown at the Canadian Track and Field Championships

Thursday night is the 3,000m steeplechase and 5,000m final. The women’s 3,000m steeplechase has 2016 Olympian Genevieve Lalonde seeded first in 9:29.99. Lalonde has been dominant in the event for several years, and is the defending champion. 

Lalonde is joined by a strong field of women: Erin Teschuk, Alycia Butterworth, Charlotte Prouse and Regan Yee round out the top five seeds. These four women are seeded within two seconds of one another, which will make for an exciting race. 

In men’s steeplechase action, 2017 World Championship finalist Matt Hughes is head and shoulders above the rest of the competition. 

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The 5,000m has Mohammed Ahmed, Justyn Knight, Ben Flanagan and Charles Philibert-Thiboutot all vying for first. Each of these men are either Olympians or NCAA medalists. This is a race to watch. 

In women’s 5,000m action, Andrea Seccafien, Jessica O’Connell, and Sasha Gollish will compete for the title. Each of these women are extremely different racers, coming from very distinct backgrounds. Any of these women could take the title depending on the race. 

RELATED: Melbourne versus Toronto with Canadian 5,000m champion Andrea Seccafien

Friday features the men’s and women’s 100m final. In the men’s race, three of Canada’s biggest names will run for the title. Andre De Grasse, Gavin Smellie and Aaron Brown are competing for the title. Smellie and Brown have each had amazing seasons. Smellie ran a blazing 10.01 earlier this spring, and Aaron Brown recently broke the 20 second barrier over 200m. However, De Grasse has struggled to get into a rhythm this season. The Olympic medalist is coming off of a hamstring injury, and rocky outdoor competitions. De Grasse could struggle to defend his national title. 

In the women’s event, Crystal Emmanuel, Leya Buchanan and Khamica Bingham will go head-to-head. Emmanuel and Bingham are 2016 Olympians, and Buchanan is an NCAA finalist in the event. 

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Saturday evening is the 200m final. Crystal Emmanuel also leads the women’s 200m field. Emmanuel stands a chance of being a 2018 double-gold medalist this weekend.

The men’s 200m is a similar field to the 100m. There’s De Grasse, Smellie and Brown as well as Julius Morris who’s seeded third, but isn’t a Canadian citizen.

Sunday hosts the 800m and 1,500m finals. Both events are quite deep on the men’s and women’s sides. In women’s 800m action, defending champion and Olympic finalist, Melissa Bishop will not be in attendance. Bishop is expecting her first baby. Lindsey Butterworth leads the field in 2:01.13. She is followed by Annie Leblanc in 2:01.56 and Jenna Westaway in 2:02.06.  

In the men’s event, Brandon McBride will face Marco Arop, Anthony Romaniw and Robert Heppenstall. McBride is a World Championship finalist and Arop is coming off a break-out season, finishing second as a sophomore at the NCAA Championships in June.

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The women’s 1,500m sees sisters Gabriela and Lucia Stafford go head-to-head. Younger sister Lucia has run a huge personal best this summer of 4:09.17, and older sister Gabriela has run 4:05.83 this season just off her personal best of 4:03.55. Nicole Sifuentes will also be in the mix with a seed time of 4:04.82.  

The men’s 1,500m features Charles Philibert-Thiboutot, who appears to be attempting the 5,000m/1,500m double. He will be challenged by Robert Denault, Corey Bellemore and Thomas Riva who are the next fastest seeds. 

Tickets and complete schedule can be found at athletics.ca. You can watch the event live at athleticscanada.tv

 

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