Wykes and Wodak set for Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona showdowns

A few West Coast road stars are set to showdown with some some the their top competition south of the border this weekend in Phoenix, Ariz.

Dylan Wykes, Canada’s second fastest marathoner ever, will make his 2015 debut against American Olympian Ryan Hall in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona half-marathon. Wykes, himself an Olympian for Canada, holds a 1:02:14 half-marathon personal best. Hall’s personal best of 59:43 is an American record, though he ran that in 2007 and has struggled in recent years to regain some of his former fitness.

Wykes’s teammate, Natasha Wodak, will line up for the women’s race alongside American Olympian Amy Hastings in the half-marathon. Wodak is no stranger to the Rock ‘n’ Roll race series, having had success at their Arizona, San Jose and Vancouver races in the past.

The 2013 Canadian cross-country champion missed much of the 2014 season due to injury but is now seeming to make a return to previous fitness. She already opened her 2015 year with a win last weekend at the Harriers Pioneer 8K in Victoria, B.C.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll race series has made a name for itself in Canada and the United States by merging road racing and music culture to create an attractive mix. The events include pre- and post-race concerts as well as live music along the course.

Wykes and Wodak train together with the B.C. Endurance Project in Vancouver, a group that also includes Rob Watson. Watson won the Arizona race in 2014, though will not be competing this weekend.

The half-marathon will be held Sunday, Jan. 18.