Kate Van Buskirk breaks Canadian indoor mile record

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Kate Van Buskirk began her 2018 track campaign in a big way.

The 30-year-old and 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist broke the Canadian record in the indoor mile (1,609m) on Saturday clocking 4:26.92. Her mark is a 2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships standard, a world-leading time, and, of course, a personal best.

The record was set at the Dr. Sander Invitational at the Armory in New York City. Van Buskirk won the Columbia Challenge women’s 1-mile over Rachel Schneider and collegiate Karissa Schweizer, both less than a second back. Placing fifth and sixth in the race were Gabriela Stafford, a 2016 Olympian over 1,500m, and her younger sister Lucia, a standout with the University of Toronto.

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The previous Canadian indoor record for the mile was 4:27.02, set by Sheila Reid in 2013.

Dr. Sander Invitational Womens Mile was ???

Kate Van Buskirk ? 4:26.92
Rachel Schneider ? 4:27.30
Karissa Schweizer ? (@MIZ_TrackField) 4:27.54 pic.twitter.com/qIAH95sdEg

— The Armory (@ArmoryNYC) January 27, 2018

“So thrilled with today, both for the result and the experience,” she wrote in a caption on Instagram. “I love racing at the Armory and the energy today was electric.”

RELATED: By the numbers: Kate Van Buskirk’s resilient comeback.

“As always, what this photo doesn’t capture is the team that stands behind me, offering their unwavering support, love, belief and encouragement,” she added on Instagram. “I 100 per cent could not do what I do without them, and am ever grateful for the opportunity to share this journey with so many amazing friends!”

The Toronto-based runner is slated to race the Millrose Games next weekend, also in New York City.