The fourth edition of the London Distance Classic managed to avoid a thunderstorm, allowing races to continue in very calm but humid conditions. Hussein Hashi (Central Toronto AC), Mathew Walters (North Bay Legion) and Chris Dulhanty (Speed River) were the three men able to achieve the 2013 Canadian Track and Field Championship standard in the 5,000m of 14:25. Lindsay Carson (Athletics Toronto) was the lone woman to achieve the 2013 Canadian Track and Field Championship standard of 17:00 for the 5,000m by running 16:23.03.

Although no 800m Canadian Championship standards were met at the London Distance Classic, nine men ran under 1:53 in the Men’s 800m races. Matthew Jurysta (Speed River) won the top section of the 800 in 1:51.68 and Triphon Moodie (London Western) was second in 1:51.73 after Ben Procter (London Runner) paced the first lap in 53 seconds. Tommy Lecours placed third overall with a big run out of the 2nd section, clocking 1:51.81. Celia Peters (Halifast) won the Women’s 800m race in 2:10.16, Lydia Frost (Speed River) was second in 2:11.31 and Nadine Frost (Speed River) was third in 2:11.90.

After a slower than scheduled first 2000m of the Men’s 5000m, the top end of the field was still bunched up going into the last 1200m of the race. Hussein Hashi (Central Toronto AC) had the strongest finish and held off Mathew Walters (North Bay Legion) the last 200m of the race to take the victory in 14:18.23. This is Hashi’s second victory in the 2013 Runners’ Choice London Distance Series.  His first victory was at the London 10,000m on May 5, 2013, where he also earned the Ontario 10,000m Championship title. Walters was second in 14:19.03 and Chris Dulhanty (Speed River) was third in 14:22.69. Another highlight was local junior runner Shane Roberts (London Runner) running a 30 second personal best of 15:20.45, just missing the the Canadian Junior 5000m standard of 15:20. 

Full London Distance Classic results are available at the Runners' Choice London Distance Series website. Videos of all races are available on TrackieTV.

The next race for post-secondary London Runner Distance Club athletes is the Windsor Open this weekend, where Elliot de Lange and Ben Procter will compete over 800m, while Stefanie Smith and Shane Roberts will tackle the 1,500m distance.

Trackie Mania is the next Runners’ Choice London Distance Series event, taking place on Sunday June 9, 2013. The events at Trackie Mania will include the 1500m, 3000m and the 4x800m relay and is open to the public.