The National Track League (NTL) makes its final stop of the 2016 season on Friday, July 15th in Edmonton, Alba. The TrackTown Classic features a number of Olympians who will represent Canada in Rio and competitive fields for a great night of action on track.
Over the past twelve months, Melissa Bishop of Eganville, Ont., has become the greatest female 800-metre running in Canadian history. The 2015 IAAF World Championships silver medallist, indoor & outdoor Canadian record holder will take on US Olympian, Chrishuna Williams. In a chaotic final at the US Trials, Williams stayed out of trouble to finish third and earn a spot in Rio. Lindsey Butterworth of North Vancouver, B.C. will also take part after finishing fifth at the Canadian Trials.
Clocking 9.99 seconds in the 100-metre, Andre De Grasse of Markham, Ont., appears to be rounding into shape at the right time. After competing in the 100-metres at the 2015 IAAF World Championships and earning a bronze medal, De Grasse plans to double up with the 200-metres and take part in the 4x100-metre relay in Rio. De Grasse will run the 200-metres at the TrackTown Classic and will face his biggest challenge from the U.S.’s Wallace Spearmon & Deirdirck Dukes.
At last week’s Canadian Trials, Christabel Nettey of Surrey, B.C. proved to be the nation’s best long jumper. Nettey, the Canadian record holder, will hope for some more favourable conditions at Foote Field as she takes on Americans, Whitney Gipson & Jasmine Todd, along with Canadian junior champion, Sandy Latrace.
Noelle Montcalm of Belle River, Ont., came through in the clutch at the recent Canadian Olympic Trials winning the women’s 400m hurdles and achieving the Olympic standard. Before heading to Rio. the Windsor alum will go up against U.S. Trials sixth and seventh place finishers, Autumne Franklin & Jaide Spencer.
Anthony Romaniw of Hamilton, Ont., has found the fire and fitness that makes him one of Canada’s best and most entertaining middle distance runners. Romaniw recently finished second at the Canadian Trials and has put together string of sub-1:46 800-metre races. Challenging Romaniw will be London 2012 4th place finisher, Duane Solomon and U.S. Trials finalists, Cas Loxsom and Brandon Johnson.
Nikkita Holder of Pickering, Ont., and hometown favourite, Angela Whyte cemented their spots for Rio in the 100m hurdles with a second and third place finishes last week in Edmonton. Holder and Whyte will take on 2008 Olympic champion, Dawn Harper and U.S. Trials finallist, Jackie Coward.
Sekou Kaba of Ottawa, Ont., got a taste of his first global championships last summer in Beijing and will face a strong international field in the 110-metre hurdles in Edmonton. Kaba qualified for Rio after finishing second last week at the Canadian Trials. Rounding out the field are Jamaica & Barbados Olympians, Andrew Riley & Shane Brathwaite and U.S. Trials finalist Aleec Harris.
The difference between third and fourth in the 100-metres can be the blink of an eye. With a fast race and a superior lean at the tape, Akeem Haynes of Calgary, Alba., earned an individual berth in the 100-metres at the Olympics by .02 seconds. Haynes will take on 2015 Pan Am Games silver medallist, Ramon Gittens from Barbados; Jamaican Olympian, Michael Frater; and sub-10 second men, Kemar Hyman from Cayman Islands, Beejay Lee from the U.S.A.
The TrackTown Classic will be streamed live at AthleticsCanada.tv starting 5:40 p.m MT/7:40 p.m. ET and requires a Plus account.
