McBride bested by Arop in 800m upset on final day of ACTF competition
Victory all the sweeter for being unexpected for the still-teenaged Arop
In a big upset in the senior men’s 800m race today, the final day of the Athletics Canada Track and Field Championships in Ottawa, defending champion Brandon McBride allowed Marco Arop to take an early lead, and was unable to regain it. Arop, who is only 19, hung on for the win, with a time of 1:46.15. McBride finished second, in 1:46.42, with Robert Heppenstall third, in 1:49.68.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/BilYUy8hyb2/?taken-by=marco_arop
In a short interview with Athletics Canada after the race, Arop was humble about the win, saying “I’ve always looked up to Brandon. He let me go ahead, and I just went with it.”
In the women’s race, B.C.’s Lindsey Butterworth took an early lead and held on for the win. Her time was 2:00.87, a new personal best for Butterworth. Calgary’s Jenna Westaway took second, in 2:01.61, and Maïté Bouchard of Sherbrooke, Que. was third, in 2:01.94.
The meet record and national record for this event are both held by Olympian Melissa Bishop, who gave birth to her first baby less than a week ago and is not competing this season.
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In the women’s 1,500m, it was Olympian and defending champion Gabriela Stafford of the University of Toronto in 4:17.08. Stafford led for the entire final 400m of the race. Nicole Sifuentes was second, in 4:17.71, and Katelyn Ayers third in 4:18.59.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk8iWdVFtd5/?taken-by=gabrielastafford
Similarly in the men’s race, Charles Philibert-Thiboutot of Université Laval successfully defended his title over B.C.’s Thomas Riva (3:46.94) and Corey Bellemore of the University of Windsor (3:47.11).
In the women’s 400m hurdles, Noelle Montcalm was victorious, with a time of 56.69 seconds, followed by Sarah Wells in second place (57.98) and Taysia Radoslav in third (58.99).
.@noellemontcalm qualifies for #TF6ix with her win (56.69) in the women’s 400m hurdles here at #ACTF2018 pic.twitter.com/5oXoHZpd2a
— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) July 8, 2018
In the men’s 400m hurdles, Malik Metivier is the new champion, with a time of 51.12 seconds. Saj Alhaddad was second, in 51.50 and Gabriel Slythe-Léveillé third, in 52.07.
Malik Metivier qualifies for #TF6ix with his win (51.12) in the men’s 400m hurdles here at #ACTF2018 pic.twitter.com/026dB5P6gt
— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) July 8, 2018
In the women’s 4x100m relay, it was the Ottawa Lions TFC ‘A’, in first, with a time of 48.10 seconds. Second was the Hamilton Olympic Club, in 49.87, and Ottawa Lions ‘B’ third, with a time of 51.51.
In the men’s 4x100m relay, it was York University in first (43.61 seconds). Two other teams were disqualified.
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