Speed River Inferno kicks off 2015 National Track League

Last night’s Speed River Inferno meet kicked off the 2015 National Track League elite series. While it’s not a new meet, this is the first time the Inferno has been a part of this series.

When the Inferno first started in 2010, it was a small meet hosting local runners. But now, at this year’s meet, it was stocked with 20 Olympic athletes as well as talented local track stars. It started at 7:00 p.m. at Guelph’s Alumni Stadium.

Great night of racing at the @SRInfernoNB. Thanks for having me back this year! pic.twitter.com/WYYrPAZ7Uu

— Lucas Manring (@lmanr800) May 31, 2015

One of the notable races track fanatics were watching for was the men’s 800m where four athletes at the start had PBs under 1:46. Of them was Canada’s Anthony Romaniw. Romaniw represented the country in 2013 at the world championships in Moscow. Last night he placed first in the event running a 1:47:86. In second was Cuba’s Raidel Acea (1:48:12) and Alex Ullman in third with a time of 1:48:13.

Other notable Canadians who raced yesterday included Alex Genest and Chris Winter in the 3,000m steeple. Winter placed second with a 8:36:94 time. Genest came in fifth place running 8:45:45.

Taylor Milne competed in the men’s 1,500m placing first running a time of 3:40:54. Milne represented Canada at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. He currrently trains in Guelph.

Sasha Gollish, a strong track athlete who won medals in five CIS Championship events in March raced the 1,500m. She came first place running a strong 4:11:68. 

This year’s series has a $10,000 prize purse that is distributed across the five meets. The intent is to give Canadian runners access to high-end racing at home.

Thanks to everyone who supported our meet this year. We greatly appreciate it. Good night, we will see you next year pic.twitter.com/avIzCU8P8F

— Speed River Inferno (@SRInfernoNB) May 31, 2015