Athletics Canada released the elite list today for the 2017 Canadian 5km Championships taking place September 10 in Toronto as part of the Bang & Olufsen YorkvilleRun

Andrea Seccafien, Jessica O’Connell and Sasha Gollish headline the women’s elite field. Seccafien and O’Connell were part of Canada’s national teams at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and this past summer in London at the 2017 IAAF World Championships. Seccafien is the women’s defending champion, taking the race last year in a time of 16:09. Gollish was second to Seccafien in 16:10. Other familiar faces from last year’s race are Brogan MacDougall and Victoria Coates who finished fifth and sixth respectively in 2016.

Arguably the most interesting name in the men’s elite field is Cam Levins of Black Creek, B.C. The past two seasons have been extremely difficult for Levins as he has been riddled with injuries and setbacks. He is in the midst of a slow and gradual comeback, the Canadian 5km Championships will serve as a good measuring stick on his health and fitness. His main challenger should come in the form of Ross Proudfoot, winner of the 2016 and 2017 national cross country titles. Evan Esselink finished fourth in the race last year in a time of 14:20.

Women’s elite field

Men’s elite field

*Not eligible for championship awards or prize money. Athletes must have Canadian citizenship and a current Athletics Canada membership

Prize money

1^st place: $2,500
2^nd place: $1,500
3^rd place: $1,000
4^th place: $500
5^th place: $300

Canadian 5k land record bonus: $2,500.

Men’s record: 14:04.6, Charles Philibert-Thiboutot, 2016 Canadian 5km Championships
Women’s record: 15:48, Malindi Elmore, 2012 Bazan Bay

For more information about the Canadian 5km Championships visit the event website.