Canadian elites Wodak, Watson to race Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona

After racing the Harriers 8K last weekend, both Rob Watson and Natasha Wodak are headed to Phoenix to race the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona half-marathon.

Watson has lived and trained in Flagstaff, Az., and is familiar with Phoenix. “I will have lots of friends there Sunday,” said the London, Ont., native.

Wodak is no stranger to the Rock ‘n’ Roll race series. She won the 2013 race in San Jose and helped Competitor Group, the company that hosts the events, unveil its new Vancouver event.

The two will be the top seeds in the men’s and women’s race and will both be in the hunt for a win.

The race will play host to about 24,000 participants between the races, which includes a marathon, half-marathon, relay and COLE bike tour.

Both runners look to be following similar upcoming 2014 seasons. They both noted that the plan is to run shorter distance races during the summer with a fall marathon to look forward to. The two train together under Richard Lee with the B.C. Endurance Project which also includes Canada’s top marathoner in 2012, Dylan Wykes, among other high-level athletes.

Watson has been one of Canada’s premiere distance runners for a few years but only recently changed coaches. He was previously coached from afar by his brother Pete.

Wodak was the 2013 national 10,000m and cross-country champion.

The race starts at 7:50 a.m. local time. on Sunday, January 19.