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Leslie Sexton and Ben Flanagan are your 2021 Canadian 10K champions

U.K. citizen Sarah Inglis, who lives and trains in B.C., took the overall win in the women's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 10K

It was a blustery morning on Toronto’s Lakeshore Blvd. for the Canadian 10K Championships and Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 10K. But despite a challenging headwind for the first half of the race, Leslie Sexton took well over a minute off her personal best, running 32:04 for the title. Ben Flanagan won the men’s race in 28:42, in his first-ever appearance at a road 10K.

Elite women’s start at Canadian 10K Championships 2021. Photo: Canadian Running

Sarah Inglis took the overall Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon 10K women’s title in 31:59 (a personal best), but she is a U.K. citizen and therefore not eligible for the Canadian title. Cleo Boyd of Kingston took second, in 33:21 (a PB), and the defending champion, Natasha Wodak, was third, in 33:34. Inglis and Sexton were well ahead of the field from about 2 km on. Twenty-six elite women raced this morning. 

Leslie Sexton and Sarah Inglis at the 2021 Canadian 10K Championships (Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon 10K). Photo: Canada Running Series

Sexton continues her fantastic season with her win today, doubling as the 5K and 10K Canadian champion. When asked about her race, Sexton mentioned that she was eager to keep her consistent performances. She is currently training for the Philadephia Marathon on Nov. 21.

Natasha Wodak, Leslie Sexton and Cleo Boyd on the podium at the Canadian 10K Championships. Photo: Canadian Running

In the men’s race, Luc Bruchet of Vancouver was second, just eight seconds behind Flanagan, in 28:49. Ben Preisner, also of Vancouver, was third, in 28:53. At 5K, it was Flanagan and Bruchet, along with Mike Tate, Phil Parrot-Migas and defending champion Justin Kent. Preisner was just behind them, but when Flanagan and Bruchet kicked, he managed to snag the podium finish. Fifty-four men raced in the elite field today.

Ben Flanagan and Luc Bruchet at the 2021 Canadian 10K Championships (Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon 10K). Photo: Greg Henkenhaf

Sexton and Flanagan each earned $5,500 in prize money for their efforts today.

“I did not know what to expect going into the race, and I’m very happy with the result,” says Flanagan. There was a headwind for the first five kilometres of the race. “I tucked into the lead pack on the way out, and used the wind to my advantage on the final stretch.” Flanagan has his eyes on more road racing this fall before the start of the indoor track season in early 2022. 

Josh Cassidy crosses the finish line at the 2021 Canadian 10K Championships. Photo: Canadian Running

Josh Cassidy was the lone wheelchair racer in his division, taking the 2021 Canadian championship title. 

The Canadian 10K Championships were held virtually in 2020, due to the pandemic. They were originally planned as part of Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend for 2021, which is usually held in May, but was cancelled for the second year in a row. It was announced in August that they would be held in Toronto.

Five thousand people were able to race the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon 10K today. 

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