Posted: May 17, 2004

Athletics: Tina Connelly and Steve Osaduik crowned first ever half marathon national champions

May 16, 2004 EDMONTON - Steve Osaduik of Nanaimo, B.C., and Tina Connelly of Port Coquitlam, B.C., were crowned national champions on Sunday at the inaugural Canadian half marathon championships held under ideal spring conditions Hawrelak Park.

In the women’s 21.1 kilometre race, Aster Denissee of Ethiopia took the gold in one hour and 13 minutes and 36 seconds. Connelly followed in second for the Canadian title in 1:14:14 and Lucie Smith of Victoria was third in 1:14:18. Maria Zambrano of Calgary was fourth in 1:15:06, Alison Rendell of Vancouver fifth in 1:18:19 and Lisa Harvey of Calgary sixth in 1:20:13.

Connelly, a 33-year-old registered nurse, has been one of Canada’s top middle and long distance runners for several years. She competed at the 2000 Olympics and 2001 world championships. Earlier this year she helped Canada to an historic team bronze at the world cross country running championships.

‘’I’m relieved because I didn’t go in feeling 100 percent,’’ said Connelly. ‘’This race provided with some confidence. I feel I’m getting back into shape.’’

Connelly injured her left calf earlier this year then aggravated the injury at the cross country worlds in March. The injury may cost her an Olympic berth since she cannot run on spikes on the track but does feel comfortable in road races. She didn’t qualify for the Olympic marathon last year.

‘’The half marathon is not as conservative a race as a marathon,’’ said Connelly. ‘’I approach it more as a 10 kilometre race. Today my strategy was to go out hard and keep everybody at bay.’’

In the men’s 21.1 kilometre race, Osaduik, who specializes in the 3,000-metre steeplechase, earned the victory in his first ever half marathon clocking 1:06:40. Andrew Hahn of Windsor, Ont., was second in 1:06:56, Stephen Drew of Ottawa third in 1:07:07, Taylor Murphy of Guelph, Ont., fourth in 1:07:17 and Lanny Mann of Calgary fifth in 1:07:54.

‘’I came here believing I could win,’’ said Osaduik. ‘’But it took me about 10 kilometres to figure the tactics of the race. I’ll be running the marathon in Ottawa (the national championships on May 30), so this was a really good preparation for that. My coach and I feel these longer races are great for my steeplechase.’’

Osaduik, Hahn, Drew and Murphy for the men, Connelly, Smith and Zambrano for the women, all assured themselves a berth on the Canadian team for the world half marathon championships October 3 in New Delhi. Edmonton hosts the worlds in 2005.

Complete results are available at: Athletics Alberta.

From AthleticsCanada.com