Three Canadian women set to race XTERRA world trail championships

Canadian Lucy Smith will be looking to defend her XTERRA Trail Run world championship title over the weekend on Nov.24.

The 21K race will be held at Kualoa Ranch, Hawaii.

Smith, who has won numerous national titles over many different distances on the roads, trails and track, won the event last year and was the 2011 runner-up. She won by over two minutes, becoming the oldest athlete to ever win the event at age 45. This will be Smith’s third year racing. She will likely be challenged by two compatriots for the top Canadian spot, and possibly the overall title.

“I think what makes the atmosphere super special is that people have all made a big effort to come here; while it is a competitive race, and a world championship, there is a sense of camaraderie among the runners and volunteers that brings us together,” said Smith in an email. “The race organizers treat everybody like family members and it shows.”

Meggan Franks is the reigning Canadian trail running champion and was Canada’s top finisher at this year’s world mountain running championships, finishing 44th.

The third Canadian elite on the women’s side is Samantha McGlone, a former triathlete. She was the Canadian triathlon champion in 2004 and 2005, and competed in the 2004 Olympics.

One of the strongest female competitors from outside Canada will likely be Polina Babkina, who lives in Honolulu. She led most of the race last year, but finished third after taking a wrong turn towards the end. Babkina moved to the United States from Sochi, Russia, in 2009 as a tennis player but soon switched to cross-country and track and field after being identified as an excellent runner by the coach at her university in Alabama.

“My goal this year is to race to the best of my ability on the day. That’s my goal for every race I ever enter,” said Smith.

“I take every race as a new experience and a new opportunity to be great for myself. It keeps it fresh for me.”

On the men’s side American Joseph Gray will be back to defend his title. He was co-champion last year along with Ben Bruce after finishing together. Bruce will not be racing this year. Winning again will not be easy.

Oregon’s Max King, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 winner is back to regain his crown after missing the event last year.

Winners of the men’s and women’s races will each receive $2,000 out of a total $10,000 prize pool.

The race will get off at 9 a.m. HST on Sunday morning.