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On Sunday August 8th in Ottawa, Pat Hartman earned the 2nd Canadian Championship bronze medal of the year for the London Runner training group - this time in the Youth Boys 2,000m Steeplechase event. Despite struggles earlier in the season, Hartman ran a big 5-second personal best time to his first National-level medal. Other competitors from the London Runner Distance Club at the Canadian Youth Championships included Sami McGuinness, who ran a personal best time in the 15 & Under Girls 2,000m, and Aaron Hendrikx, who ran a very impressive double and placed 4th in the 17 & Under Boys 3,000m and 6th in the 1,500m.
Looking back on their races, McGuinness stated:
"At first, I didn't realize how big of a deal it was, but once I got on the track it seemed surreal. There were over 20 girls in my race and I was seeded almost last, so I wanted to prove to myself that I belonged there. My Goal was to place better than expected and to PB. In the end, I reached my goal and was happy with my results. I hope I can build up to be an even better runner for next year so I can qualify again."
Hendrikx had high expectations after running a stellar 3:52.90 1,500m earlier in the season, but was feeling the effects of a long racing season and had to settle for 4th in Canada:
"Even though I didn't achieve my goal of medaling, Ottawa was still a great experience at the National level."
In 2010, the London Runner training group had a total of 10 top-10 performances at Canadian Track & Field Championships:
Canadian Youth Championships (17 & Under)
3rd Pat Hartman 2,000m Steeplechase
4th Aaron Hendrikx 3,000m
6th Aaron Hendrikx, 1,500m
Canadian Junior Championships (19 & Under)
7th Erika Houde-Pearce 2,000m Steeplechase
7th Aaron Hendrikx 1,500m
8th Aaron Hendrikx 5,000m
Canadian Senior Championships
3rd Leslie Sexton (UNA) 5,000m
4th Robert Kitz (UTTC) 10,000m
6th Kyle O'Neill 3,000m Steeplechase
8th Rebecca Pieterson 3,000m Steeplechase
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