Two new Canadian champions

Two new Canadian champions were crowned at the 2014 Canadian Marathon Championship in Ottawa earlier in the day.

Eric Gillis of Guelph won the Men’s title in 2:13:46., while Rhiannon Johns of Sault Ste. Marie took the Women’s championship in 2:47:11.

Eric Gillis was the first Canadian to cross the finish line in his first Canadian Marathon Championship. “It is a nice treat to win the National Championship”, notes Eric following today’s win.

“It is always good to be happy with the race and we got really lucky with the weather”. Eric’s victory is his second Canadian Championship title this year having won the 2014 Canadian Half Marathon Championship last month; “Two Canadian championship wins in a month is exciting. I haven’t confirmed a fall marathon yet, but I am going to run one.”

Vancouver’s Rob Watson won the men’s Silver medal in a time of 2:16:37 to which he told the media “I am happy with the race and I ran to my fitness and it was a really well run, fun event.”

Philippe Viau-Dupuis of Montreal, Que., won the Bronze medal in 2:23:21.

Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.’s Rhiannon Johns won the women’s Canadian Marathon Championship with a time of 2:47:11. “I am thrilled, overwhelmed and it is exactly what I came here to do”, notes an excited Rhiannon after completing only her second career marathon.

“The race was a great step in the right direction. It wasn’t a great time, but it is rare in running to have the outcome be exactly what you wanted. Any time you become a national champion is pretty exciting!”

Silver was won by Bianca Prémont of Ste-Julie, Que., in 2:50:26 and Sarah Nagy of Newmarket, Ont., won the bronze in 2:50:52.