Edmonton’s Army 10K goes off with military precision

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This year marked a new partnership between the Servus Edmonton Marathon and the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, a primary reserve infantry unit of the Canadian Forces and sponsor of the newly renamed Army 10K. 

Runners and spectators alike got to check out military vehicles at the expo and the race, enjoy a regimental bagpiper before the race start, and have their medals presented by uniformed soldiers. The race included a military challenge and special award categories for military personnel.

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The course, which starts and finishes at the Shaw Conference Centre, is an out-and-back that runs west along Jasper Ave. to 111 St., where it jogs north to 102 Ave., continuing west to 137 St. before returning to the Shaw. 

Syed Zain Ahmed, who moved to Calgary from Toronto a few years ago, was the winner of the Army 10K, with a time of 31:09, the fastest winning time since the course came downtown in 2014. “The course was very good,” Ahmed said. “The wind and temperature were perfect. I was really happy with my run, the support of the spectators, and how well organized the event is.”

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Matt Setlack was the second-place finisher, in 32:22. Setlack studied at Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont., and is a student pilot with the RCAF and a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) Running Team. “I think it was really meaningful running this race with the regiment being the new sponsor,” Setlack told us. “Racing in Edmonton feels like home, since I have so many friends in Edmonton. Having the Canadian Armed forces members there in their uniforms, specifically at the half way point and at the end handing out medals was a really nice touch. I thought it was really well done. ”

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Dejene Gulilat was third, in 32:42. 

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Emma Cook-Clarke was the first woman to finish, in 34:45. Cook-Clarke took silver at the 2016 C.I.S. cross-country championships. Kaytlyn Grundle was second, in 37:25, and Joby Rosenleaf third, in 38:34.