News

July 14, 2007 - Canadian National Championships, Windsor, Ontario

Hilary captures National title

Just one week after setting a new personal best in Paris to run the world "A" standard, Hilary took her first national championship title for the senior women's 1500m and solidified her spot on Team Canada at the World Championships in Osaka next month.

"I am thrilled to win the national championships," said Hilary after the race. "It means a lot to me being my first one, but also because I was able to win infront of a lot of family and friends who came to watch."

The race was slow and tactacle at the start until Megan Brown, a young up-and-coming runner, took the lead with two laps to go and picked up the pace. Malindi Elmore slowly closed the gap, with Hilary close behind. Both Malindi and Hilary passed Brown with just under a lap to go and raced to the line, with Hilary taking the lead only 50m before the finish. The pair ran the last 800m in around 2:08, but after a 2:20 first 800m. Nicole Edwards cross the line in third to round off the medals.

"I knew it would be a close race because Malindi and I have been racing a lot lately. And, I knew i would have to be strong to win," said Hilary.

Defending National Champion Carmen Douma-Hussar did not race the championships due to an injury, but it is expected that Canada will have three women racing the 1500m in Osaka: Malindi, Carmen and Hilary. Although the final team is still to be announced.

Up next Hilary will travel back to Europe to train at altitude for three weeks in preparation for Osaka, but will race two 800m competitions before worlds.

For full results of the Canadian Championships, click here>>

See photos and race here.

-30-