Canadian Sasha Gollish runs huge PB, hits world half standard in Texas

Canadian Sasha Gollish was a late entry to the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Half-Marathon, so much so that her name didn’t even appear on the live results page.

Still, the Pan American Games 1,500m bronze medallist ran an eight-plus-minute personal best over the half-marathon distance to finish second in 1:12:35, ahead of 3,000m/5,000m/10,000m U.S. record holder Shalane Flanagan, and Olympian Amy Hastings Cragg.

Kara Goucher won the race in 1:10:09.

Yup, one of these shots. Lol. But you don't often get #bling like this at the #track. I almost out loud #laughed when the pace vehicle was asking 'who is 323? We can't find her. Who is this?' Thanks @runrocknroll #rnrSA staff and volunteers for all you did today. That was one twisty turny course, but it's also a sweet new #PB! #headupwingsout #flystyle #hadafastday #golikeneverbefore #lifebeyondwalls #theexperienceiseverything

A photo posted by sasha gollish (@sgollishruns) on Dec 6, 2015 at 10:25am PST

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The Toronto-resident now sits in fourth in Canadian qualifying for the World Half-Marathon Championships, which take place March 16, 2016 in Wales.

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Fun fact: @SGollishRuns, 2nd today in the 1/2. Not only was it a 9+ minute PR, she’s the 1500m Bronze medalist at the ’15 PanAm Games #RnRSA

— Rock n Roll Marathon (@RunRocknRoll) December 6, 2015

Gollish confirmed to Canadian Running post-race that the goal was to run a time that would put her in the top-three in Canada, narrowly missing the necessary mark.

The performance came one week after Gollish ran the Canadian cross-country championships in Kingston, Ont., where the CIS Academic All-Canadian finished fifth.

Cover photo: Chris Chavez