Tristan Woodfine and Erin Mawhinney dominate at Under Armour Toronto 10K

On Saturday, more than 6,000 runners turned up for the inaugural Under Armour Toronto 10K on Toronto’s lakeshore. Runners were greeted with warm, sunny conditions and low winds, which translated to some speedy times on the roads, led by Tristan Woodfine Cobden, Ont., who won the race in 29:12, and Erin Mawhinney of Hamilton, Ont., who took top honours on the women’s side to earn her first Canada Running Series victory.

Special s/o to Hamilton’s Erin Mawhinney 33:34 & Ottawa Valley’s Tristan Woodfine 29:12 who notched convincing wins; both leading Start to Finish #TOR10k #runcrs pic.twitter.com/B78MIm1HIV

— alan brookes, CRS (@alnbrookes) June 17, 2023

Woodfine was on his own from 2 km on, pushing the pace on Mississauga’s Dylan Alick, who finished second in a personal best time of 29:49, 37 seconds behind Woodfine. This was the first time Alick has dipped under the 30-minute mark for 10K. Woodfine finished only six seconds off his personal record of 29:06 from the Valencia 10K earlier this year in Spain. Rob Kanko of Dundas, Ont., was third in 30:02.

“I am really pleased to be solo and do a good hard effort, and, to come away with 29:12 is a great place to be,” Woodfine told reporters post-race. “We are on the right track, for sure, for a good marathon race this fall.”

The UA 10K victory was a nice birthday present for Woodfine, who turned 30 the day after his win. Woodfine is currently coached by two-time Canadian Olympian Reid Coolsaet, who also ran the race, finishing 14th overall in 32:18, which earned him second among masters runners.

Mawhinney, another talented athlete guided by Coolsaet, triumphed in the women’s race, securing the victory and a new 10K personal best of 33:34. The 26-year-old got out strong and stuck to her fast pace, winning by nearly a minute and a half over Ottawa’s Salome Nyirarukundo. 

The UA 10K was the first race for Nyirarukundo in four years, after she suffered a major injury at the end of her 2019 season. Nyirarukundo represented Rwanda in the 10,000m at the 2016 Olympic Games, placing 27th overall. She came to Canada in 2018 and has lived in Ottawa ever since; she is the Rwandan national record holder in the 5,000 and 10,000m. Rachel Hannah was the third woman to cross the finish line, in 35:09.

Despite the race’s early start, Toronto’s diverse running community lined the out-and-back course along Lakeshore Blvd. at 7:30 a.m. to cheer on thousands. Many runners described the cheers and roars of the spectators as euphoric and motivating. Upon receiving their hard-earned finisher medals, runners made a beeline to Bandshell Park for the chance to indulge in either a rejuvenating post-run yoga session or delightful popsicles, generously offered to all participants.

For full results from the 2023 Under Armour Toronto 10K, check here.