The banks of Cougar Creek are forever changed, yet the 24th annual Canada Day Run struck a familiar tone to kick off Canmore’s national celebration.
Canadian cross-country ski stars Graeme Killick and Brittany Webster won the eight-kilometre race for the second year in a row in what proved to be the kickoff to a big Canada Day celebration.
Killick won the race with a time of 23:55, just 15 seconds ahead of Alberta World Cup Academy teammate Kevin Sandau. Jesse Cockney was third (24:26). All three will be in contention for spots on Canada’s Olympic contingent in 2014.
This year’s course was modified from years past due to flood damage along the Bow River. The new course had more hills, which suited Killick.
“It was nice. My house is on the river on Prospect Heights, so I had a home field advantage,” Killick said.
The event is a fundraiser for Canmore Nordic, and many of the country’s top cross-country skiers and biathletes use the race as part of their training regime.
“There are a few we like to hit every year. We keep doing the same courses as it’s a good indicator of shape. This year will be different, but it’s still a good indicator,” Killick said.
Killick, 23, is the best runner on the AWCA, and won the Canada Day run handily last year. This year, Sandau was closer, but not close enough to threaten the win.
Flooding hasn’t greatly affected the team’s training, although they were trapped in Golden through the worst of the weather. Cockney’s home was evacuated on Cougar Creek and others couldn’t get to Canmore due to highway closures. The team had to cancel its Haig Glacier training camp, and instead has elected to train at home.
“We live in one of the best places to train. We can get good altitude and it keeps our dollars in the community at a time when Canmore needs it more than some others,” Killick said.
Webster, one of Canada’s best distance racers, showed she’s in top form. Her time of 27:30 was 23 seconds ahead of Banff’s Heidi Widmer, who recently returned from a training camp in Switzerland. Kathryn Stone was the third woman to cross the line, finishing with a time 29:17, even with a rock lodged in her shoe for the entire race.
Webster said pacing was the most important part this year in her win, especially in the heat.
“I remember the last few times I opened up way too hard and it really, really hurt. You just run out of gas. This time I wanted to open up a bit slower. I was running with a few guys and they were really supportive, telling me to ‘go get those guys.’ It was nice to do that rather than run on your own,” she said. “I love the crowds and it’s always a nice day on Canada Day.”
After an awful mountain bike accident left her with a metal rod in her leg in 2011, Webster said she’s fully recovered and back to training full time. She went to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, but didn’t race.
“I enjoy running a lot more in training. It’s super good for the fitness and it keeps you lean. It’s better than the bike. It’s a nice way to tick away at it.”
Obviously, running is her strength, and she believes it will prepare her for a shot at the 2014 Olympics. Her training is much more focused this year, she said.
“I’m going to try and get in as many running races as I can, prepare for the race season and be ready for Olympic trials,” Webster said.
