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Personal Best for Many at the CF National Running Championship

Cool temperatures helped propel many participants to run their personal best at the Canadian Forces (CF) National Running Championship on May 29-30.  Held each year in conjunction with the Ottawa Race Weekend, over 100 CF athletes from various bases across Canada joined over 38,000 participants to compete in four race distances (5 km, 10 km, half and full marathons).

On Saturday, 8,886 participants lined up for the 5 km race. Lt Matt Setlack of 4 Wing Cold Lake crossed the finished line with a time of 15.13.0, placing him 1st in the 5 km Male Open category and 3rd among all Ottawa Race Weekend competitors.  "Today I ran a personal best," says Lt Setlack. "I’ll continue training in Cold Lake and hope to return for the Army Run to see if I can beat my personal best again."

Lt Matt Setlack of 4 Wing Cold Lake crossed the finished line with a time of 15.13.0, placing him 1st in the 5 km Male Open category and 3rd among all Ottawa Race Weekend competitors.

To become a better runner at longer distances, Lt(N) Walter Cantwell of CFB Esquimalt felt it was necessary to work on his speed. “The preparation for this 5 km has allowed me to do that with success and now it is time to move on for a possible marathon in the fall,” explains Lt(N) Cantwell who placed 1st in the 5 km Male Masters category. 

The 10 km race was sold out, with a record 9,908 runners.  Maj Catherine Marchetti of CFSU Ottawa ran a personal best, shaving over one minute from her time to place 1st in the 10 km Female Open category. "Running with other racers who are faster than you pushes you to do better.  I tried to pass as many people as I could."

Maj Catherine Marchetti of CFSU Ottawa ran a personal best, shaving over one minute from her time to place 1st in the 10 km Female Open category.

It was an early start on Sunday morning for the half and full marathon.  "I attribute my first place half marathon masters performance to great training, good conditions and clear focus on my goals," explains MWO McNabb of CFSU Ottawa. "My finishing time in this year’s half marathon was a personal best of 1:11:37, which was almost 2 minutes faster than last year."

"The support and enthusiasm that the CF has put into this event is remarkable.  It’s a great opportunity to meet other CF runners and it’s extremely inspiring to see so many different people of all shapes, sizes and ages coming together to do something as challenging as running a race," remarks 2Lt Kristine Self of 12 Wing Shearwater who placed 1st in the Half Marathon Female Masters category.

2Lt Kristine Self of 12 Wing Shearwater placed 1st in the Half Marathon Female Masters category.

Sgt Frank Keeley of CFB Wainright only started running competitively in 2008.  In 2009, he qualified and ran the Boston Marathon.  "By far, the people and the atmosphere made this event one of my best experiences in Canada.  I was overwhelmed by great emotion when I won the Masters Gold," describes Sgt Keeley, who placed 1st in the Full Marathon Male Masters category. 

"It’s incredible to watch the athletes cross the finish.  Some are full of energy, others have used up every drop," says George O’Dair, representative from the Royal Canadian Legion, sponsor of the CF National Running Championship.  "We appreciate the opportunity to help the troops in any way we can."

Photos by: MCpl Roy J. MacLellan of CFSU (O)

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