Cliff and Esselink win Canadian 10K Championships

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjOVmmjlnHR/?taken-by=raecliff

Rachel Cliff and Evan Esselink are the 2018 Canadian 10K Champions. Cliff and Esselink broke the tape in Ottawa Saturday evening in 32:22.70 and 30:30.80 to take the titles. 

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Cliff, Canadian half-marathon record holder, is adding national 10K Champion to her impressive resume. In the 2018 outdoor season, Cliff has run personal bests in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, and just off her personal best in the 1,500m. Her track work has evidently translated well to the road where Cliff has become quite dominant. Cliff was reportedly looking to break the 32:00 minute barrier in Ottawa, and missed the mark by only 22 seconds. Natasha Wodak was the second Canadian woman in 33:44.90. 

We caught up with @runottawa women's 10km elite @Dangerous_Cliff to talk training and race strategy for tomorrow #RunOttawa2018 pic.twitter.com/rH6h4Wgh8Y

— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) May 25, 2018

Esselink had a great performance in Ottawa today, closing so quickly that race officials couldn’t get the championship tape ready in time for him to break it. Today adds to Esselink’s already impressive running resume. Esselink has been very strong on the track, winning the Canadian 10,000m Championships last year at the Speed River Inferno. Kevin Blackney was the second Canadian Saturday, crossing the finish line in 30:34.90. 

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Esselink was cheered on from the commentators booth by last year’s 10K Champion Eric Gillis.

In the overall results for the men, Andamlak Berta of Ethiopia won decisively in 27:47.30. In the women’s race, Alia Mohammed of the United Arab Emirates won in 31:35.50.

Weren’t able to make it to Ottawa for the festivities? You can catch both the marathon and half-marathon here tomorrow morning.