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Westaway and Arop set new Canadian records

Jenna Westaway and Marco Arop both ran the second fastest times in the world for 2019 in the 1,000m and 800m respectively

Canadian records continue to fall this 2019 indoor season, as Jenna Westaway and Marco Arop took down two more on Friday and Saturday. Westaway ran 2:37.04 on Friday at the Boston Valentine Invitational to break the 1,000m record formerly held by Dianne Cummins at 2:38.24. Her mark places her 2nd in the world currently. 

RELATED: Gabriela Stafford breaks another Canadian record

Arop of Mississippi State ran a shocking 1:45.90 on Saturday at Clemson University, which is also the second fastest time in the world for 2019 and an NCAA top ten all-time indoors. Arop bested the Canadian indoor 800m record by over half a second, taking the record from Gary Reid, who set it at 1:46.47 in 2004. In the past year, both of Reid’s records have fallen. Brandon McBride, who also attended Mississippi State, took down his outdoor mark at the Monaco Diamond League in 2018. 

Westaway set up Friday’s race as a clear record attempt. She was paced through 450 metres by her teammate Jenna Smith, and took charge from there on. Westaway is currently in her final year of U Sport eligibility and competing for the University of Guelph. 

RELATED: McBride bested by Arop in 800m upset on final day of ACTF competition

Arop is only a sophomore at Mississippi. He caught the attention of the running community after his strong NCAA outdoor performance, and shocking win at the Canadian national championships, where he upset Canadian record holder McBride. 

Both runners will now look forward to their respective championship races. Westaway will compete at the U Sport Championship and Arop at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Both events take place March 7-9, 2019. 

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