#ACXC2018 elite profile – Get to Know… Ben Flanagan
  • University of Michigan alumnus
  • NCAA Champion – 10,000m (28:34.53)
  • Self-proclaimed NCAA certified mama’s boy
  • 2018 Canadian 5K Champion – Canadian soil record (13:56)
  • First Canadian in 46 years to win Falmouth Road Race
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

 

Heading into ACXC 2018…

Who inspires you to be a better runner?
My family, friends, teammates, coach, former coaches and fellow Canadian athletes past and present. There are many people in my life who inspire me through their support and belief in me, which I am very grateful for.

What is the strangest thing you have even seen happen (or been part of) during a XC race?
When I was in Grade 9, at the OFSAA Championships, one of my competitors was hit by a deer mid-race. Fortunately, she ended up being okay.

My go-to XC outfit is __________:
In high school you know I was repping those famous OFSAA XC sweaters. Nowadays, I like to just stay as warm as possible, which means a lot of layers, maybe some arm sleeves on race day and of course a well-established mustache.

Let’s say you could have the perfect meal prepared for you the night before ACXC 2018. What would it be?
I love me some pasta. Usually some chicken penne or chicken parm. Sometimes I like to mix it up and get some pork chops, I’m really not too picky.

Any advice for younger, aspiring XC runners competing next weekend?
You’ve got nothing to lose out there. Trust yourself, compete hard and have some fun.

 

Get to know Ben even better…

What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?
Being very sociable. Many of my elementary and high school teachers had to keep me after class or even remove me from class due to conversing with my classmates so often.

What cheesy song do you have memorized?
Stacy’s Mom (Fountains of Wayne)
Mr. Brightside (The Killers)
1985 (Bowling for Soup)
All the Small Things (Blink 182)
Turn on pretty much any early 2000’s punk rock, and you’ll catch me singing along!

What is the best and worst piece of advice you have ever received?
Best advice: “Don’t take the lead until you know you’re going to win.” – Kevin Sullivan
Worst advice: “You should join the swim team.” – high school friends

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
* Warning: Does not stop talking. *

If you could go on a run with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
Wayne Gretzky. I want to pick his brain to find out what he personally thought made him such a remarkable athlete and how he achieved such a high level of success.

 

Join us in Kingston on Saturday, Nov. 24, to watch Ben go for the title of National Champion at the 2018 Canadian Cross Country Championships or tune in to AthleticsCanada.tv if you can’t be there in person.

For more on #ACXC2018, including the race schedule, visit www.athletics.local/acxc2018.

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