By: Schenley Clarke
It was an emotional and heartfelt morning at the Rockcliffe Parkway today where almost 500 women gathered to participate in a 5K race in honor of Emilie Mondor.
Emilie was a world-class runner who participated in numerous international races representing Canada, including World Championships and the 2004 Athens Olympics. After Emilie tragically lost her life following a training session at the Rockcliffe Parkway her coach, Ken Parker, organized this race as a celebration of Emilie's life and women's running.
Today, as Emilie's parents held the ribbon at the finish line, Kingston's own Emily Tallen was the first to cross the line. Finishing with a time of 16:32, Tallen captured her first win, having previously placed second twice and third once in this exact race. After taking the lead just after the 1K mark, Tallen charged to victory and takes home the grand prize of $1000 for the top overall racer.
Having been a friend of Emilie's, Tallen treasures this race more than any other. "I love what this race stands for and represents," she said. "It's nice to honor Emily."
Finishing second was New Zealand native Mary Davies, with a time of 17:07. Davies, who recently settled in Ottawa, also competed in the Ottawa Race Weekend two weeks ago. Suffering from an inflamed disc in her lower back since that weekend, Davies has not done any running since then. Despite experiencing some pain today at the finish line, she was in good spirits saying: "It's great to see such spirited women around me and great to see Emily win."
Placing third was Masters runner Paula Wiltse of Brockville with a time of 17.18.
"I hope to do this race every year," Paula said. "It's nice to see so many women participating. It is my overall favorite Canadian race to do."
Emilie's Run also included a 1K race for children 10 and under. With 159 finishers crossing the line, Leo Goutte of Ottawa took the first place title with a time of 3:56. Emily Larkin was a close second at 3:58 and Brooke Lapierre in third at 4:01.
Race Director Ken Parker summed up the day in saying "It is a quality race for women only. It is a celebration of women's running and to honor Emilie, a pioneer of women's running."
The start of Emilie's Run - The Emilie Mondor Memorial 5K Race for Women in Ottawa this morning. Photo: Eric Patry
Top 10 Overall:
1 Emily Tallen, Kingston 16:36.2 ($1,000.00) *
2 Mary Davies, Ottawa 17:07.8 ($750.00)
3 Paula Wiltse, Brockville 17:18.8 ($550.00)
4 Myriam Grenon, Longueuile 17:28.5 ($400.00)
5 Josiane Aboungono, Toronto 17:55.5 ($300.00) **
6 Leah Larocque, Ottawa 18:11.6
7 Lori Kingsley, Wysox 18:12.9
8 Liz Maguire, Ottawa 18:19.0
9. Kerry Cook, Ottawa 18:23.5
10. Beth Primrose, Huntsville 18:31.9
Top 5 Masters (40+)
1 Paula Wiltse, Brockville 17:18.80 ($750.00)
2 Myriam Grenon, Longueuile 17:28.5 ($500.00)
3 Lori Kingsley, Wysox 18:12.9 ($350.00)
4 Liz Maguire, Ottawa 18:19.0 ($250.00)
5 Beth Primrose, Huntsville 18:31.9 ($150.00)
(* = + $300.00 for primes at 2, 3 and 4K. ** = + $100.00 for prime at 1K)
Complete results - including splits at each kilometer - are available at SportStats.ca.
Watch a video of race highlights on Youtube.
Emily Tallen enroute to winning Emilie's Run in 16:36. Photo: RunnersWeb.com
The race is sponsored by the Runner's Web (RunnersWeb.com), the Ottawa Citizen, Majic100, New Balance Ottawa, iRun Magazine, eLoad, RunningSkirts.com, Booster Juice, Zoom Photo, Taste of Nature, Vitamin Water, Goodlife Fitness Clubs, Bagel Bagel and Ottawa Outdoors Magazine and is organized by Somersault Promotions (Somersault.ca).
Emilie's Run is part of the Champions Challenge Series and the Road Warrior Series.
About Emilie's Run
In 2006 the Runner's Web founded the RunnersWeb5K.com Race for Women, Canada's only women's-only race at the time. In 2007 the race was renamed Emilie's Run - The Emilie Mondor Memorial 5K Race for Women in memory of Emilie Mondor, a pioneer in women's running in Canada and the first Canadian woman to run sub 15:00 for 5K. Emilie was an Athens Olympian. She had moved to Ottawa to start training for the marathon with the goal of going to the Beijing Olympics in that event.
About the Runner's Web
The Runner's Web was founded in January of 1997 as a not-for-profit resource site. RunnersWeb.com Inc. is now a small business venture which sponsors the OAC Racing Team (www.OACRacingTeam.com), and Emilie's Run - The Emilie Mondor 5K Race for Women ( www.EmiliesRun.com).
About Somersault Promotions
Somersault Promotions (Somersault.ca) organizes triathlons, duathlons, running, and other start and finish line participation events. They organize and host these community sport, recreation and fitness events solely for the recreational enjoyment of participants of all ages and stages.
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