Canadian 200m record falls to Crystal Emmanuel

Not only Canadian distance runners have shown the post trials European races to have a positive effect on performance but seemingly our sprinters as well.

Crystal Emmanuel of East York, ON demolished the Canadian 200m record set by Marita Payne of 22.62(0.8) in Edmonton in 1983. The Canadian champion and Rio Olympic semifinalist in the 200m ran 22.50(0.0) in Cork, Ireland today in cool and gusty conditions to break the 34-year-old record. Earlier Crystal won the silver medal in the 100m in 11.32(-1.0). 

Sheila Reid

Sheila Reid of New Market, ON won the 3000m in the same Cork City Games in a seasonal best of 8:54.60 with Rachel Cliff of Vancouver, BC close behind in a personal best of 8:57.15. Erica Digby of Vancouver, BC set her PB of 9:09.59 as well.

Luc Bruchet

Luc Bruchet of South Surrey, BC set a seasonal best of 13:36.62 in the 5000m on July 12th a the Morton Games, Santry Dublin while Jessica Smith of North Vancouver also record her seasonal best of 4:16.88 in the 1500m

Cole Peterson just behind Charles Philibert Thiboutot at 2017 National Championships

In Ninove, Belgium, Cole Peterson of Edmonton, AB ran personal best of 3:40.64 with Thomas Riva of Victoria, BC running a seasonal best of 3:40.22

SPORT'S HERO: SPELL IT ANDRE DE GRASSE

BY BRIAN POUND

COQUITLAM--It took Canadian sprint sensation Andre De Grasse 10.17 seconds to run 100-metres Wednesday night at the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic. It took him nearly one hour to leave the track.

The world’s current top ranked sprinter was mobbed by fans, hundreds of them, as he crossed the finish line at a sold out Perry Percy Stadium. His slow winning time, running into a 0.4 head wind, didn’t seem to dim the enthusiasm as everyone seemed to be thrusting an autograph book at him.

“This is fun,” he said. “Last year I was a little overwhelmed with the reception. This year it’s amazing. I’m kind of speechless the way it happened, just an incredible feeling.”

On his winning time, De Grasse said, “I’m happy with it. I mean my main point was to come out here just to meet my fans, sign some autographs. This is a good chance for the fans in Canada to see me. I’m not worried about the time, it was more about the experience coming here.”

On learning his biggest rival, Usain Bolt of Jamaica, had run a 10.06 earlier in the day in a meet in the Czech Republic and then saying he had a sore back...”it’s six weeks away from Worlds so I’m sure he’s going to be ready. I’m not worried about what he’s running right now. He’s always ready when it’s game time. Six weeks to London and I’ m just taking it one race at a time. The (Canadian) trials next week, I’m hoping to run sub-10and then maybe one more race before the worlds, but I am looking forward to London to get a chance to race against Usain one more time. That’s an opportunity for me.”

The Canadian trials will be held July 3-9 in Ottawa and the Worlds August 4-13 in London.

While the performances by the participating Olympians at this year’s meet didn’t threaten their best top performances of the season, it was left to a couple of local up and comers to provide perhaps the top two performances of the meet.

James Linde wins the 200m    photo credit: Brian Cliff

The second loudest cheer of the evening was provided by Coquitlam’s James Linde who scored personal best times in winning the 200 (20.76) and finishing second to De Grasse in the 100 (10.42).

Last year’s BC High School female athlete of the year and now a freshman at University of California, Zion Corrales Nelson, put together a 23.87 run in winning the women’s 200 metres, also a personal best.

Among the notables: Vancouver’s national women’s javelin record holder Liz Gleadle won her event but well off her best, taking the event with a best throw of 59.44 metres...Canadian decathlon champion and number two ranked in the world, Damian Warner, won two events, the 110-metre hurdles (13.79) and the long jump (7.48m), both well of his best. He will compete in both again at the Canadian nationals...Canadian women’s 800-metre record holder Melissa Bishop ran away from the field in 2:00.11, well off her national mark...and what may be the two fastest one mile walk times ever recorded by Canadians was established by Olympians Ben Thorne and Evan Dunfee, who finished first (5:41.89) and second (5:42.87) respectively in the seldom held event. “I believe those are record times,” said Dunfee who trained for his event by race walking 25 miles Wednesday morning.

30

Results 2017 Harry Jerome Meet

April Armstrong  photo credit: Brian Cliff

Women 100 Meter Dash Special Olympics Vancouver Sun

Finals

1 April Armstrong Burnaby  14.92 -1.7

2 Olivia Neuman Surrey  16.54 -1.7

3 Melissa Semke Surrey  16.78 -1.7

4 Kayley Olund Surrey  17.07 -1.7

5 Paige Norton Abbotsford  17.34 -1.7

6 Kellie Robertson Surrey  17.72 -1.7

7 Susan Wang Surrey  18.85 -1.7

Jasmine Todd of USA wins 100m    hoto credit: Brian Cliff

Women 100 Meter Dash Vancouver Sun

1 Jasmine Todd United States  11.52 -0.9

2 Zion Corrales Nelson Philppines  11.76 -0.9

3 Melanise Chapman United States  11.77 -0.9

4 Shai Anne Davis Canada  11.79 -0.9

5 Whitney Rowe Canada  11.85 -0.9

6 Valda Kabia Canada  12.19 -0.9

7 Keira Pederson Canada 12.43 -0.9

8 Hassy Fashina-Bombata Canada  12.55 -0.9

Women 200 Meter Dash Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel

1 Zion Corrales Nelson Philppines 23.87 -0.2

2 Melanise Chapman United States  23.88 -0.2

3 Shai Anne Davis Canada  23.95 -0.2

4 Valda Kabia Canada  24.62 -0.2

5 Hassy Fashina-Bombata Canada  24.94 -0.2

6 Keira Pederson Canada  25.48 -0.2

7 Jordan Jacobs Canada  25.91 -0.2

8 Carmryn Yuen Canada  26.83 -0.2

Lauren D'Angolo  photo credit: Brian Cliff

Women 400 Meter Run Wesbild

1 Lauren D'Agnolo Canada  54.99

2 Sophie Dodd Canada  56.38

3 Alana Musatto Canada  57.01

4 Aaryanna Kurucz Canada  57.59

5 Cayla Smith Canada  58.69

6 Emma Cannon Canada  58.74

7 Hayley Madden Canada  59.27

Melissa Bishop       photo credit: Brian Cliff

Women 800 Meter Run Gov't of Canada

1 Melissa Bishop Canada  2:00.11

2 Annie Leblanc Canada  2:02.86

3 Jenna Westaway Canada  2:03.15

4 Nicole Sifuentes Canada  2:03.35

5 Rachel Aubry Canada  2:03.48

6 Lindsey Butterworth Canada  2:04.17

7 Sheila Reid Canada  2:05.12

8 Helen Crofts Canada  2:05.19

9 Grace Annear Canada  2:09.67

-- Rachel (pace) Framcpos Canada DNF

Women 800 Meter Run National Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel

1 Dalanne Zanotelli United States  2:04.38

2 Casey Atkin Canada  2:06.44

3 Andea Propp Canada  2:06.98

4 Tamara Harris Canada  2:07.96

5 Devan Wiebe Canada  2:08.29

6 Meg Harradine Canada  2:11.34

7 Megan Roxby Canada  2:15.91

8 Madelyn Huston Canada  2:16.55

9 Mikayla Tinkham Canada  2:17.05

10 Reta Dobie Canada  2:17.41

Sasha Gollish    photo credit: Brian Cliff

Women 1500 Meter Run Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel

1 Sasha Gollish Canada 4:08.56

2 Mariah Kelly Canada  4:09.38

3 Sarah McPherson Canada  4:09.90

4 Eleanor Fulton United States  4:10.41

5 Erica Digby Canada  4:11.02

6 Regan Yee Canada  4:14.85

7 Rachel Cliff Canada  4:17.39

8 Natasha Wodak Canada  4:17.93

9 Sarah Inglis Great Britian  4:20.17

10 Kirsten Lee Canada  4:20.58

11 Taryn O'Neill Canada  4:22.34

12 Jessica Smith Canada  4:25.10

13 Sandra Kilmartin Canada  4:32.12

14 Lindsay Carson Canada 4:20.55 4:33.89

-- Anna (pace) Connor United States DNF

-- Laurence (pace) Cote Canada DNF

Katarina Vlahovic     photo credit: Brian Cliff

Women 100 Meter Hurdles BC Athletics

1 Katarina Vlahovic Canada  14.11 0.2 

2 Chicago Bains Canada  14.47 0.2 

3 Diana Voloshin Canada  14.53 0.2 

4 Hana Tyndall Canada  14.57 0.2 

5 Tanya Motsi Canada 14.70 0.2 

6 Emily Morley Canada 16.00 0.2

Women 4x100 Meter Relay Prov of BC 2004 and under

1 Ocean Athletics 'A' 55.10

2 Coquitlam Cheetahs 'A' 55.23

3 Kajaks 'B' 56.04

4 VancouverThunderbirds 'B' 56.44

5 VancouverThunderbirds 'A' 56.44

6 Universal Athletics 'A' 57.36

7 Lord Kitchener Elementary 'A' 59.64

Women 4x100 Meter Relay Athletic Canada 2006 and under

1 Universal Athletics 'A' 59.06

2 Coquitlam Cheetahs 'A' 59.57

3 Airblastoff 'A' 1:01.87

4 VancouverThunderbirds 'A' 1:02.01

5 Ocean Athletics 'A' 1:02.04

6 Beach Grove Elementary 'A' 1:03.19

7 Lord Kitchener Elementary 'A' 1:03.34

8 Valley Royals 'A' 1:04.49

Alyx Treasure     photo credit: Brian Cliff

Women High Jump Lamar Transit Advertising 

1 Alyx Treasure Canada  1.86m

1.81  1.86 1.90

O      O   XXX

2 Alexa Propaczy Canada  1.71m

1.61 1.66 1.71 1.76

O    O     O  XXX

3 Wanetta Kirby U, S, Virgin Island  1.66m

1.66   1.71

XXO XXX

4 Gabriella Aquilini Canada  1.61m

1.56 1.61 1.66

XO  XO  XXX

5 Eniko Sara Canada  1.56m

1.56 1.61

O    XXX

Women Long Jump Province of BC

1 Christabel Nettey Canada  6.14m +0.0

  6.03m(-1.1) 6.08m(+0.0) 6.14m(+0.0)

2 Jasmine Todd United States  6.12m +0.0

  6.06m(-0.3) 5.93m(-0.8) 6.05m(-0.4) 6.12m(+0.0) 5.92m(+0.0)

3 Sabrina Nettey Canada  5.85m -0.4

  5.73m(+0.0) FOUL(-0.3) FOUL(+0.0) 5.85m(-0.4) FOUL(+0.0) 1.83m(-0.1)

4 Wanetta Kirby U, S, Virgin Island  5.83m -0.1

  5.62m(+0.0) FOUL(+0.0) 5.70m(-0.6) 5.83m(-0.1) 5.61m(+0.0) 5.80m(+0.0)

5 Jasmine Lew Canada  5.59m +0.0

  5.30m(+0.0) 5.59m(+0.0) 5.20m(-0.6) 5.35m(+0.0) 5.08m(+0.0) 5.13m(+0.0)

6 Diana Voloshin Canada  5.11m +0.0

  4.87m(-0.3) FOUL(-0.5) 5.11m(+0.0)

7 Keira McCarrell Canada  5.05m +0.0

  4.83m(+0.0) 5.00m(-1.2) 5.05m(+0.0) 4.93m(-0.4) 4.99m(-0.1)

Women Javelin Throw  Fairmont pacific Rim Hotel

1 Liz Gleadle Canada  59.44m

55.34m 59.44m 54.30m 52.23m FOUL FOUL

2 Krista Woodward Canada  53.05m

45.67m 49.89m 48.82m 50.46m 52.36m 53.05m

3 Melissa Fraser Canada  49.47m

49.47m 45.43m 48.43m FOUL 47.16m 48.63m

4 Brittni Wolczyk Canada  47.93m

44.14m 44.28m 47.93m 44.94m 44.95m 42.78m

5 Katie Reichert United States  46.67m

40.91m 46.67m 40.29m 38.77m 43.45m 44.26m

6 Cerah Moren Philppines  44.18m

36.23m 39.94m 42.12m 44.18m 38.17m 41.66m

7 Rori Dennis Canada  43.40m

43.40m 40.91m 38.90m FOUL 42.18m 41.11m

8 Keira McCarrell Canada  43.11m

37.59m 39.57m 43.11m 41.89m 42.01m 39.79m

Men 100 Meter Dash Vancouver Sun

1 Andre De Grasse Canada  10.17 -0.4

2 James Linde Canada  10.42 -0.4

3 Akeem Haynes Canada  10.47 -0.4

4 Chris Royster United States  10.53 -0.4

5 Jerome Blake Jamaica 10.67 -0.4

6 Steve Abosi Canada  10.77 -0.4

7 Benjamin Tjerngal Canada  10.96 -0.4

8 Francis Klimo Canada  10.97 -0.4

Men 100 Meter Dash Special Olympics TELUS

1 Michael Savage Langley  12.10 -0.3

2 Malcolm Borsoi Surrey  12.20 -0.3

3 Thomas Rak Surrey  12.97 -0.3

4 Jesse Thibeault Surrey  12.99 -0.3

5 Zack Thibeault Surrey  13.16 -0.3

6 Daniel Batson Surrey  13.30 -0.3

7 Ethan Mountain Surrey  13.43 -0.3

8 Mike Palitti Abbotsford  15.47 -0.3

James Linde    photo credit: Brian Cliff

Men 200 Meter Dash TELUS

1 James Linde Canada  20.76 -0.1

2 Jerome Blake Jamaica  21.35 -0.1

3 Benjamin Tjerngal Canada  22.04 -0.1

4 Nicholas Ayin Canada  22.08 -0.1

5 Nathan Mah Canada  22.10 -0.1

6 Francis Klimo Canada  22.14 -0.1

7 Noah Regnier Canada  23.47 -0.1

Reid Muller   photo credit: Brian Cliff

Men 800 Meter Dash National RYU

1 Reid Muller Canada  1:51.85

2 Brendon Restall Canada  1:52.63

3 Tyler Dejong Canada  1:53.19

4 Dylan Freinhofer Canada  1:53.45

5 Adam Marshall Canada 1 1:53.60

6 Nathan Riech Canada  1:53.72

7 Chris Taylor Canada  1:53.80

8 Ty Fuoco Canada  1:53.97

9 James Lam Canada  1:54.42

10 Carlos Vargas Canada  1:54.79

11 Ryan Korol Canada  1:55.18

-- Jack (Pace) Williams Canada DNF

Nathan George photo credit: Brian Cliff

Men 400 Meter Run Lamar Transit Advertising

1 Nathan George Canada  46.33

2 Quinn Litherland Canada  47.76

3 Daniel Kelloway Canada  47.85

4 Ben Ayesu-Attah Canada  47.91

5 Michael Aono Canada  48.48

6 Paul Fisher Canada  49.85

7 Egidio Cantarella Canada  49.89

8 Jake Hanna Canada  49.92

Brannon Kidder   photo credit: Brian Cliff

Men 800 Meter Run Govt of Canada

1 Brannon Kidder United States  1:47.36

2 Edose Ibadin United States  1:48.06

3 Russel Dinkins United States  1:48.12

4 Anthony Romaniw Canada  1:48.51

5 Cameron Proceviat Canada  1:49.84

6 Daniel Block Canada  1:50.18

7 Rhys Kramer Canada  1:51.01

8 Adam Paul Morris Canada  1:52.39

9 Tyler Smith Canada 1 1:54.82

-- Chance (pace) Tanner Canada DNF

Rorey Hunter of Australia   photo credit: Brian Cliff

Men 1500 Meter Run Stanley Park Brewing

1 Rorey Hunter Australia 3:39.28

2 Izaic Yorks United States  3:39.41

3 Daniel Herrera United States  3:40.45

4 Thomas Riva Canada  3:41.13

5 Jordan McMamara United States  3:41.22

6 Luc Bruchet Canada  3:41.47

7 Robert Denault Canada  3:41.82

8 Travis Burkstand Canada  3:41.87

9 Cole Peterson Canada  3:42.19

10 Louis Falland Australia 3:43.14

11 Michael Davila United States  3:45.22

12 Declan White Canada 3:47.59

13 Justin Kent Canada  3:47.90

14 Lukas Jarron Canada  3:48.22

15 Charlie Dannatt Canada  3:51.85

16 Levi Neufeld Canada  3:53.71

-- Eric (pace) Avila United States DNF

-- Bryce (Pace) Basting United States DNF

John Gay   photo credit: Brian Cliff

Men 3000 Meter Run TSN

1 John Gay Canada  8:05.81

2 Theo Hunt Canada  8:23.52

3 Ben Weir Canada  8:25.98

4 Ryan Brockerville Canada  8:26.01

5 Braeden Charlton Canada  8:27.51

6 Jesse Hooton Canada  8:29.44

7 Nick Colyn Canada  8:32.16

8 Brendan Wong Canada  8:42.48

9 Josh Kozelji Canada  8:46.15

-- Christian (pace) Gravel Canada DNF

Damian Warner   photo credit: Brian Cliff

Men 110 Meter Hurdles Gov't of Canada

1 Damian Warner Canada  13.79 -0.3 

2 Anastas Eliopuolos Canada  14.31 -0.3 39 inch height*

3 Kenneth Schultze Canada  14.60 -0.3

4 Jackson Cheung Canada  14.76 -0.3 

5 Ryan Cheng Canada  15.00 -0.3 

6 Michael Przystupa Canada 15.51 -0.3 

Men 4x100 Meter Relay TELUS 2006 and under

1 Lord Kitchener Elementary 'A' 59.69

2 Ocean Athletics 'A' 1:00.56

3 Valley Royals 'A' 1:00.80

4 Coquitlam Cheetahs 'A' 1:00.90

5 Lord Kitchener Elementary 'B' 1:02.27

6 Universal Athletics 'A' 1:02.59

7 Beach Grove Elementary 'A' 1:04.09

8 Vancouver Thunderbirds 'A' 1:04.24

Men 4x100 Meter Relay Prov of BC 2004 and under

1 Ocean Athletics 'A' 52.15

2 Kajaks 'A' 52.63

3 Coquitlam Cheetahs 'A' 53.53

4 Ocean Athletics 'B' 54.47

5 Vancouver Thunderbirds 'A' 54.99

6 Airblastoff 'A' 55.13

7 Lord Kitchener Elementary 'A' 58.59

8 Hershey Harriers 'A' 1:00.09

Men High Jump RYU

1 Django Lovett Canada  2.20m

2.11 2.16 2.20 2.24

O   XO   XXO   XXX

2 Joel Della Siega Canada  2.01m

1.96 2.01 2.06

XO  XO   XXX

3 Bryce McKenzie Canada  2.01m

1.86 1.91 1.96 2.01 2.06

O    XO  XO  XXO XXX

4 Michael Lambert Canada  1.96m

1.86 1.91 1.96 2.01

XO  O    O    XXX

5 Zach Kuzyk Canada 1.91m

1.86 1.91 1.96

O   XXO XXX

Damian Warner   photo credit: Brian Cliff

Men Long Jump CHMB/AM1320

1 Damian Warner Canada  7.48m 0.2

FOUL FOUL 7.10m(-1.5) 7.48m(0.2) 7.39m(-1.4) 7.15m(-1.2)

2 Bavon Sylvain Domincan Republic  7.10m NWI

FOUL(-1.9) FOUL(-1.6) FOUL(-0.9) 7.10m(-0.0) FOUL(+0.0) 4.41m(-0.0)

3 James Turner Canada  6.83m +0.0

6.69m(0.5) FOUL(-0.8) 6.51m(-1.1) 6.70m(-0.2) FOUL(-0.7) 6.83m(+0.0)

4 Nigel Joseph Canada  6.55m -0.3

6.43m(-0.6) FOUL(+0.0) FOUL(-1.4) 6.55m(-0.3) 6.43m(-0.4) 6.52m(-1.2)

5 Denzel Brown Canada  6.36m -1.4

FOUL(-1.1) FOUL(-1.6) FOUL(-0.7) FOUL(+0.0) FOUL(-0.9) 6.36m(-1.4)

6 Michael Przystupa Canada  6.10m -0.8

5.85m(+0.0) 6.00m(+0.0) 5.83m(-0.4) FOUL(-1.1) FOUL(-0.6) 6.10m(-0.8)

Men Javelin Throw Farabloc

1 Kyle Nielsen Canada  68.26m

62.54m 65.77m 67.59m 68.26m 65.79m FOUL

2 Andy White Canada  67.53m

62.77m 61.19m 61.73m 67.53m 66.08m 65.41m

3 Issac Sandri Canada  46.88m

45.65m FOUL 44.49m 44.99m 46.88m 45.92m

photo credit: Brian Cliff

Mixed 100 Meter Dash Wheelchair TSN

1 Trystan Smyth M Canada 16.85 0.8

2 Nathan DeWitt M Canada 17.41 0.8

3 Balraj Zimich M Canada 17.75 0.8

4 Sedrick Skabar M Canada 18.11 0.8

5 Dakoda Darling M Canada 20.90 0.8

6 Djami Diallo W Canada 21.46 0.8

Mixed 1 Mile Race Walk 1 mile Athletics Canada

1 Ben Thorne M Canada 5:41.89

2 Evan Dunfee M Canada 5:42.87

3 Nick Christie M United States 6:13.24

4 Caleb Cheng M Canada 6:34.06

5 Dmitry Babenko M Canada 6:35.15

6 Katie Burnett W United States 7:01.14

Andre De Grasse excited to run at Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic

Andre De Grasse interview at Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic Media Event  Interview by Steve Erickson of Sportswave and video camera by Jorge Parra

Canadian Track Stars shine at noon for Harry Jerome Track Classic media conference

Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel

Andre De Grasse with Coach Stu McMillan     Photo Credit: Brian Cliff

Akeem Haynes, Olympic Bronze medalist 4x100m Relay with Achilles Track Society President, Doug Clement Photo Credit: Brian Cliff

Melissa Bishop, 2015 World Championship Silver medalist  with Lynn Kanuka, Bronze medalist 1988 Photo Credit: Brian Cliff

Damian Warner, Olympic bronze medalist in decathlon  with Ian Hanomansing of CBC  Photo Credit: Brian Cliff

Melissa Bishop ready for fast 800m tomorrow  Photo Credit: Brian Cliff

Andre De Grasse hopes for fast track and favourable winds for tomorrow 100m  Photo Credit: Brian Cliff

1996 Olympic Gold medalist, 4x100m relay, Robert Esmie with Athletics Canada's CEO Rob Guy Photo Credit: Brian Cliff

Andre De Grasse signs autograph for Coco Clement    Photo Credit: Brian Cliff

Meet schedule

6:20                Sheraton Vancouver Airport 800m Femmes National

6:25                RYU 800m Hommes National

6:30                Athletics Canada Mile Race Walk | Marche mixed

6:36                Farabloc Javelin | Javelot Hommes 

6:38                Lamar Transit Advertising High Jump | Saut en Hauteur Femmes

6:42                CHMB/AM 1320 Long Jump | Saut en Longueur Hommes

6:44               Athletics Canada 4 X 100m Relay | Relais Filles        Gr 5/2006 & under

6:47               TELUS 4 X 100mGarçons Gr 5/2006 & under

6:51               Province of BC 4 X 100m Relay | Relais Filles        Gr 7 /2004 & under

6:54               Province of BC 4 X 100m Relay | Relais Garçons Gr 7/2004 & under

6:58               TSN 3000m Hommes

7:15               Opening Ceremonies | Ceremonie d’Ouverture

7:30               Vancouver Sun 100m SO Femmes

7:35               TELUS 100m SO Hommes

7:40               TSN 100m Paralympique Femmes/Hommes

7:45               Fairmont Pacific Rim Javelot Femmes

7:47               TELUS 200m Femmes

7:52               TELUS 200m Hommes

7:54                RYU High Jump | Saut en hauteur Hommes

7:57                Fairmont Pacific Rim 1500m Femmes

8:00                Province of BC Long Jump | Saut en Longueur Femmes

8:04                Stanley Park Brewing Foundation 1500m Hommes

8:11                Wesbild 400m Femmes

8:17                Lamar Transit Advertising 400m Hommes

8:27                BC Athletics 100m Hurdles | Haies Femmes

8:35               Athletics Canada 110m Men’s Hurdles | Haies Hommes

8:40                Government of Canada 800m Femmes

8:46                Government of Canada 800m Hommes

8:54                Vancouver Sun 100m Femmes

9:02                Vancouver Sun 100m Hommes

Start list here

Canadian records here

Meet records here

World Championship standards here

Bishop, De Grasse, Warner headline Harry Jerome

by Athletics Canada

Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic to feature Canadian Olympic and World Championship medallists Andre De Grasse, Melissa Bishop, Damian Warner, Ben Thorne and Akeem Haynes..

WATCH FREE LIVE WEBCAST ON ATHLETICSCANADA.TV AT 5:50pm PT JUNE 28

The last leg of the 2017 National Track League (NTL) starts at 5:50 p.m. PT Wednesday, June 28 in Coquitlam, B.C., with the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic at Percy Perry Stadium.

The 2017 Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic features a number of Canada’s track and field stars. Canadian Olympic and World Championship medallists Andre De Grasse (100m, 200m & 4x100m Relay), Melissa Bishop (800m), Damian Warner (Decathlon), Ben Thorne (20km RW) and Akeem Haynes (4x100m Relay)  will all compete in front of a sold-out crowd at Percy Perry Stadium. A number of local Olympians will get the chance to compete in front of family and friends: Evan Dunfee (Race Walk), Elizabeth Gleadle (Javelin), Christabel Nettey (Long Jump) and Alyx Treasure (High Jump).

There are many surrounding story lines helping make the 34th Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic on Wednesday June 28 one to watch.

Andre De Grasse photo credit: Brian Cliff

Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic Preview

After three wins this year on the IAAF Diamond League, Andre De Grasse of Markham, Ont. returns to the Harry Jerome Track Classic to compete in the men’s 100m. De Grasse lit up the track in 2016 winning three medals at last summer’s Rio Olympic Games (100-metres : bronze, 200-metres : silver and 4x100-metre relay : bronze). In the 100-metres at Harry Jerome, De Grasse will be joined by one of his bronze medal winning relay teammates, Akeem Haynes of Calgary.

Melissa Bishop photo credit: Athletics Canada

Canadian 800-metre record holder Melissa Bishop of Eganville, Ont. has been consistently clocking sub-2 minute performances so far in 2017 as she builds momentum toward the 2017 Canadian Championships. Fellow Olympian  1500-metre Olympian Nicole Sifuentes of Winnipeg, 2012 Olympian, Sheila Reid and Bishop’s training partner Annie Leblanc of Repentigny, Que., look to challenge and hit the IAAF World Championship qualifying time (2:01.00).

Damian Warner photo credit: Athletics Canada

A win at the Gotzis Hypomeeting earlier this year shows that Damian Warner of London, Ont., will be contending for a world title in the decathlon later this summer in the United Kingdom. Warner, who won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, will take part in the 110-metre hurdles and long jump competitions in Coquitlam.

Ben Thorne

20km race walk bronze medallist from the 2015 World Championships, Ben Thorne of Kitimat, B.C., and Olympic fourth place 50 km race walk finisher Evan Dunfee of Richmond, B.C. look to set a fast pace in the Mile race walk.

Liz Gleadle photo credit: Brian Cliff

Canadian record holder and Vancouver native Elizabeth Gleadle will compete in her specialty at the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic. Gleadle represented Canada in Rio and tops the Canadian rankings this year with a best throw of 62.30-metres in the javelin. 

Christabel Nettey of Surrey, B.C., is healthy and back in world class long jump form. The 2015 Pan Am Games champion and fourth place IAAF World Championship finisher recently jumped 6.92-metres, only .07 off her Canadian record. Joined by her sister, Sabrina, she will go for the win in her home province.

After a successful university career, Alyx Treasure of Prince George, B.C., qualified for the Olympic final last year in Rio. Treasure will have the IAAF World Championship standard of 1.94m in her sights as she tries to earn her spot to represent Canada in London later this summer.

Shai-Anne Davis Photo credit: Brian Cliff

The women’s 100 and 200-metres includes Shai-Anne Davis of richmond, BC and Whitney Rowe of Burnaby, B.C. These two young women are looking for World Championship standards and the chance to earn their spot on the IAAF World Championships’ 4x100-metre relay pool.

Pan Am Games bronze medallist Sasha Gollish of Toronto along with 2012 Olympian, Jessica Smith of North Vancouver and 2016 5000-metre Olympian Jessica O’Connell of Calgary will headline the field in the women’s 1500-metres. British Columbia based Regan Yee and Mariah Kelly, along with Scotland’s Sarah Inglis could also challenge for the win.

For more information on the National Track League visit www.athletics.ca/ntl.  and www.harryjerome.com

Meet schedule

6:20                Sheraton Vancouver Airport 800m Femmes National

6:25                RYU 800m Hommes National

6:30                Athletics Canada Mile Race Walk | Marche mixed

6:36                Farabloc Javelin | Javelot Hommes 

6:38                Lamar Transit Advertising High Jump | Saut en Hauteur Femmes

6:42                CHMB/AM 1320 Long Jump | Saut en Longueur Hommes

6:44               Athletics Canada 4 X 100m Relay | Relais Filles        Gr 5/2006 & under

6:47               TELUS 4 X 100mGarçons Gr 5/2006 & under

6:51               Province of BC 4 X 100m Relay | Relais Filles        Gr 7 /2004 & under

6:54               Province of BC 4 X 100m Relay | Relais Garçons Gr 7/2004 & under

6:58               TSN 3000m Hommes

7:15               Opening Ceremonies | Ceremonie d’Ouverture

7:30               Vancouver Sun 100m SO Femmes

7:35               TELUS 100m SO Hommes

7:40               TSN 100m Paralympique Femmes/Hommes

7:45               Fairmont Pacific Rim Javelot Femmes

7:47               TELUS 200m Femmes

7:52               TELUS 200m Hommes

7:54                RYU High Jump | Saut en hauteur Hommes

7:57                Fairmont Pacific Rim 1500m Femmes

8:00                Province of BC Long Jump | Saut en Longueur Femmes

8:04                Stanley Park Brewing Foundation 1500m Hommes

8:11                Wesbild 400m Femmes

8:17                Lamar Transit Advertising 400m Hommes

8:27                BC Athletics 100m Hurdles | Haies Femmes

8:35               Athletics Canada 110m Men’s Hurdles | Haies Hommes

8:40                Government of Canada 800m Femmes

8:46                Government of Canada 800m Hommes

8:54                Vancouver Sun 100m Femmes

9:02                Vancouver Sun 100m Hommes

Start list here

Canadian records here

Meet records here

World Championship standards here

Multi-national Metric Mile Mashup at Jerome Track Classic Wednesday

Canadians, Thomas Riva (3:37.34) of Victoria, BC and Adam Palamar (3:38.92) of Ottawa, ON will challenge 1500m runners from south of the 49th parallel and around the world.  Jordan McNamara (3:34.00) from Eugene, OR and Izaic Yorks (3:37.74) from Seattle, WA will provide the stimulus to create a competitive event in this metric mile. 

from left Rorey Hunter, Luc Bruchet, Daniel Herrera, Robert Denault and Travis Burkstrand

Joining this 1500m field will be Travis Burkstrand (3:38.96) of Minnesota, Olympian Luc Bruchet (3:39.13) of White Rock, BC, David Herrera (3:39.69) of Mexico, Robert Denault (3:39.71 of Aurora, ON and Rorey Hunter (3:40.36) of Australia.

The meet is a complete sell-out and no tickets will be sold at the gate.

Track fans who were unable to purchase a ticket to the Jerome Track Classic, can still catch all the exciting action by tuning into www.athleticscanada.tv to watch live-streaming of the meet.

Savage and Armstrong to defend their sprint titles at the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic

April Armstrong of Special Olympics Burnaby holds the meet record in the 100m in 15.15 seconds.  She will defend the title which has held for the last 2 years. She may improve her time on the fast Mondo track at Percy Perry Stadium on Wednesday night.

Michael Savage  takes a close win at the 2016 Special Olympics Final     photo credit: Brian Cliff

Can Michael Savage of Special Olympics Langley defend his 100m title and break his meet record of 12.13 seconds at the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic on July 22nd?  He will run right after April Armstrong at 7:35pm just 90 minutes before Andre De Grasse runs his 100m final.

Over 400 athletes will competere along side al

Cross border battle in 800m at Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic

Just 0.2 seconds separate personal bests of the top contenders in the men's 800m set for the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic next Wednesday at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam.

Guelph, ON's Olympian, Anthony Romaniw (1:45.60) is seeking the IAAF entry standard of 1:45.90 for the London World Championships in August. He will have plenty of help from Penn State graduate, Brannon Kidder (1:45.58), now representing Brook's Beasts and Hampton University's electrical engineer graduate, Edose Ibadin (1:45..87). They will be joined by Tyler Smith of the University of Victoria and Russel Dinkins of Princeton, NJ to make this one of the feature races of the evening.

The meet is a complete sell-out and no tickets will be sold at the gate.

Track fans who were unable to purchase a ticket to the Jerome Track Classic, can still catch all the exciting action by tuning into www.athleticscanada.tv to watch live-streaming of the meet.

Catch Andre De Grasse, if you can, at Jerome Track Classic on June 28th

See Canada's Olympic stars in action at Coquitlam Town Centre on next Wednesday

Draft of Start List 2017 Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic

Event Listing as of June 22, 2017 subject to change

6:20                Sheraton Vancouver Airport 800m Femmes National

6:25                RYU 800m Hommes National

6:30                Athletics Canada Mile Race Walk | Marche mixed

6:36                Farabloc Javelin | Javelot Hommes 

6:38                Lamar Transit Advertising High Jump | Saut en Hauteur Femmes

6:42                CHMB/AM 1320 Long Jump | Saut en Longueur Hommes

6:44               Athletics Canada 4 X 100m Relay | Relais Filles        Gr 5/2006 & under

6:47               TELUS 4 X 100m Relay | Relais Garçons Gr 5/2006 & under

6:51               Province of BC 4 X 100m Relay | Relais Filles        Gr 7 /2004 & under

6:54               Province of BC 4 X 100m Relay | Relais Garçons Gr 7/2004 & under

6:58               TSN 3000m Hommes

7:15               Opening Ceremonies | Ceremonie d’Ouverture

7:30               Vancouver Sun 100m SO Femmes

7:35               TELUS 100m SO Hommes

7:40               TSN 100m Paralympique Femmes/Hommes

7:45               Fairmont Pacific Rim Javelot Femmes

7:47               TELUS 200m Femmes

7:52               TELUS 200m Hommes

7:54                RYU High Jump | Saut en hauteur Hommes

7:57                Fairmont Pacific Rim 1500m Femmes

8:00                Province of BC Long Jump | Saut en Longueur Femmes

8:04            Stanley Park Brewing Foundation 1500m Hommes

8:11                Wesbild 400m Femmes

8:17                Lamar Transit Advertising 400m Hommes

8:27                BC Athletics 100m Hurdles | Haies Femmes

8:35               Athletics Canada 110m Men’s Hurdles | Haies Hommes

8:40                Government of Canada 800m Femmes

8:46                Government of Canada 800m Hommes

8:54               Vancouver Sun 100m Femmes

9:02                Vancouver Sun 100m Hommes

9:15                Meet Close                                                   SO= Special Olympic

Andre De Grasse to run twice before the first ever sold out crowd for the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic on June 28th in Coquitlam.

By Brian Pound

The sold out crowd at the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic at Coquitlam’s Percy Perry Stadium June 28 are in for a double treat.

Canadian sprint sensation Andre De Grasse has announced Monday will compete in both the 100 and 200 metre races at the meet.

De Grasse comes into the meet off a sizzling 9.69 wind-aided 100-metres win at the Stockholm Diamond League meet on the weekend. It is the third fastest 100-metres on record, but unofficial, of course, because of the non-allowable following wind (4.8m).

Stu McMillan

Doug Clement, Chair of the Achilles Track Society said, "Coach, Stu McMillan of Altis, announced today that Andre will double up at the Jerome Track Classic to prepare for the World Championships. I hope our track fans bring warm weather and a following wind to this fast Mondo track at Percy Perry Stadium"

from left, Gold Medalists,  Bruny Surin and Donovan Bailey 1996 Olympic Games

De Grasse, unbeaten in his last three Diamond League races, is fast closing in on the Canadian 100-metre record of 9.84. currently co-owned by Donovan Bailey and Bruny Surin. Bailey also holds the Jerome meet mark of 9.9 seconds. De Grasse set the national 200-metre record of 19.90 seconds in finishing second at last year’s Rio Olympics.

The Jerome 200-metre record is 20.19 set by American Wallace Spearman in 2013.

The men’s 100-metre race at the Jerome is set for 7:52p.m. while the 200-metres will be run at    9:02 p.m.

The Jerome meet sets up De Grasse for the national championships in Ottawa June 3-9 and the World Athletic Championships in London in August.

The meet is a complete sell-out and no tickets will be sold at the gate.

Track fans who were unable to purchase a ticket to the Jerome Track Classic, can still catch all the exciting action by tuning into www.athleticscanada.tv to watch live-streaming of the meet.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Doug Clement (Achilles Chair) 604-261-6220

Brian Pound (Media Relations) 604-438-9332

ADG wins windy Stockholm Diamond League 100m in third fastest time ever on his way to Jerome Track Classic on June 28th

Andre De Grasse wins at 2016 Jerome Track Classic                     photo by Michael Basile

Windy conditions negated Andre De Grasse's amazing run in Stockholm's Diamond League 100m today. His 9.69 seconds is the 3rd fastest time ever but is not legal as the wind was 4.8 m/sec , over the limit of 2.0m/sec. His personal best is 9.91 seconds set in Rio with his Olympic bronze medal performance. ADG's next stop is the 34th Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic set for Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam on June 28th. We can ask several questions now.  Will the wind be optimal on June 28th, will the temperature be warm and will the fast Mondo track provide the conditions for Andre to break the meet record of 9.99 set by  Donovan Bailey in 1997?  Will he be able to improve his personal best of 9.91 seconds? Will the Canadian record of 9.84 seconds of Donavan Bailey and Bruny Surin be broken?  Tickets are now sold out and none will be sold at the gate. Doors open 5:30 pm. As seats are on a first come first serve basis, be there early. First event is  6:20pm

Treasure takes silver in Spain on her way to Jerome Track Classic on June 28th

Prince George's Olympian, Alyx Treasure took the silver medal at the Huelva Meeting Iberoamericano de Atletismo in Spain on June 14 with a jump of 1.87m behind Iryna GERASHCHENKO of the Ukraine.

The Kansas State graduate will be high jumping before a sold out crowd at the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic on June 28th at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam. She will be seeking a clearance of 1.94m which is the qualifying height for the IAAF World Championships in London's Olympic Stadium on August 4th-13th. Alyx cleared this height in Rio last summer and she is looking for support from the fans.  Her event starts at 6:38pm and the doors open at 5:30pm. Fans with general admission tickets are urged to arrive at 5:30pm as seating is first come first serve.  There will be plenty of room around the high jump area in the south-east corner of Percy Perry Stadium to offer cheers of support to Canada's premier high jumper.

HARRY JEROME TRACK CLASSIC A SELLOUT

by Gary Kingston

A star-studded field of athletes, led by Canadian sprint sensation Andre De Grasse, has created terrific public interest and an early ticket sellout to the 2017 Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic.

Organizers of the meet, which was moved this year to the 1,800-seat Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam from Burnaby, announced Wednesday that all tickets for the June 28 event have been sold. The important message to note is that there will no tickets available at the door.

Competition starts at 6:20 p.m. and ticket holders are urged to get to the stadium early if they want to secure a seat. Gates open at 5:30pm. There will also be standing room areas around the track.

Doug Clement, chair of the Achilles Track and Field Society, which co-ordinates the meet, said the early sellout is “an indication of the sort of golden period of Canadian athletics.

“Over the last three to four years, we’ve gained a prominence in world-ranking lists which have not been matched ever. Medal counts at world championships and Olympics have been as good as they have ever been in a non-boycotted year. There is a long-term development program that seems to be working.”

Clement said it’s clear that athletes like De Grasse, a triple medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, decathlon bronze medalist Damian Warner, middle distance runner Melissa Bishop and others have created a new level of excitement.

“Leading athletes and our (medal-winning) relay teams, people do know them.”

He noted that CBC’s weekend coverage and live-streaming of Diamond League meets in Europe is helping the exposure.

Track fans who were unable to purchase a ticket to the Jerome can still catch all the exciting action by tuning in to www.athleticscanada.tv to watch live-streaming of the meet.

“Athletics Canada has taken the initiative and started to broadcast their own series of events, including the national championships and National Track League events. That creates a higher profile and leads to more people wanting to see the athletes live.”

      photo credit: Alberto Pizzola

De Grasse, who captured silver and bronze medals at the Rio Olympics in epic battles at 200 and 100 metres with Usain Bolt, headlines the Jerome Classic. The field also includes several other Canadian Olympians, including Warner, Bishop, who was fourth at 800 metres, javelin thrower Liz Gleadle and hurdler Jonathan Cabral..

Many of the athletes will be using the Jerome as preparation for the Canadian Track and Field Championships July 3-9 in Ottawa and the IAAF World Championships in London in August.

The field of international competitors for the Jerome includes Ella Nelson, a four-time Australian champion at 200 metres, and Olympic sprinters Wilfred Kofi of the Ivory Coast and Shavez Hart of the Bahamas.

The Jerome Classic is hosted by the Achilles Track & Field Society, a non-profit society registered in British Columbia. Net proceeds from this event support track and field competition in B.C.

Jerome Track Classic expected to sell out all tickets today

Melissa Bishop reaches for the top at Jerome Track Classic on June 28th.

In just over 2 weeks Melissa Bishop will be at the start line in the 800m at the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic at Percy Perry Stadium at Coquitlam’s Town Center Park.  She is now a real veteran, having started her running career back in 2004.  It was not until 2012 that she broke the 2:00 minutes barrier, launching her into prominence in the international world.  It is of note, that she competed at the World Youth Championship in Marrakesh, Morocco in 2005 in the 400m, near the start of her career. Now she has claimed the silver medal a the World Championships in the 800m in Beijing in 2015, the gold medal at he 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto and the ever so close 4th place a the Rio Olympics. 

This University of Windsor graduate has set big goals for herself. She and her long time coach Dennis Fairall want to see her in the 1:56’s.  Melissa says “I love to win….I can go faster”  She ran 1:57.02 in Rio and is looking for improvement at the London World Championships this August.  “ I want to do well….I want Dennis to be so happy”, she said.

This year, Melissa had just one indoor race in Athlone, Ireland, a win in 2:01.42.  After a spring of altitude training, she started her outdoor season with a win over 1500m in 4:10.30 in Windsor, ON. Next, she ran in Eugene, OR.  The Eganville, ON native said “ Season opened, happy with an opener of 1:59.52 at Pre Classic.  Some fine tuning and we will be rolling in no time”.

The meet record at the Jerome Track Classic is 1:58.79, set by none other than Melissa, in 2016. Before the Jerome Track Classic, she will race in the Diamond League in Oslo and Stockholm.   Will her meet record fall again this year?

It is likely that all tickets will be sold in the next 24 hours.
Richard K. Miller, Chair of Marketing for the Achilles Track and Field Society
reports that advance sales leave about less than 100 tickets of the 3000 available. LAST ChHANCE TODAY!
Anyone who wishes to attend should go online at www.harryjerome.com now to purchase the few remaining. Remember, seats are on a first come first serve basis. Get there early to obtain a seat as general admission does not guarantee a seat.

Alyx Treasure will jump at Jerome Track Classic on June 28th

Read full story here

2016 Canadian Olympian, Alyx Treasure just competed in the Rome Diamond League's Golden Gala on June 8th and in 3 weeks she will jump at Coquitlam Town Center Park's Percy Perry Stadium in the high jump a the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic.

Debbie Brill, the creator of the Brill Bend

The meet record in the women's high jump of 1.95m set 33 year's ago by Canada's legendary, Debbie Brill.  At the 2016 Olympic Games, Alyx set her personal best of 1.94m and she has jumped 1.91m already this season. The Kansas State graduate will join a host of other Olympians at the penultimate qualifier for the London World Championship set for August 4-13.

It is possible that all tickets will be sold before the day of the meet.
Richard K. Miller, Chair of Marketing for the Achilles Track and Field Society
reports that advance sales leave about only 600 tickets of the 3000 available. 
Anyone who wishes to attend should go online at www.harryjerome.com now
to purchase the few remaining. Remember, seats are on a first come first serve basis.
Get there early to obtain a seat as general admission does not guarantee a seat.

Olympians to clash at Jerome Track Classic: Johnathan Cabral to hurdle with Damian Warner on June 28th.

Damian Warner is clearly one of Canada’s best athletes ever.  As a decathlete he can compete in a wide variety of run, jumps and throws. This event requires you complete over 2 days, the 100m, 400m, 1500m and 110m hurdles, pole vault, high jump and long jump plus discus, shot put and javelin.  He recently completed a hat trick in Gotzis, Austria winning the Hypo Meeting decathlon for the third time. 

Damian will compete at the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic on June 28th at Percy Perry Stadium in the 110m hurdles.  He has won the Canadian Championships in the 110m hurdles in 2014 and 2015 and recorded his personal best of 13.27 seconds over the 10 barriers.

Last year the Canadian Champion was Johnathan Cabral who went on to take 6th in the Rio Olympic Games who has best of 13.35.  The University of Oregon graduate took the silver in the 2015 NCAA Championships in the 110m hurdles just behind Omar McLeod, who won the Olympic gold medal for Jamaica in Rio. 

The line up of Olympians continues to grow for the Jerome Track Classic.

Andre De Grasse is now advertising for Gatorade Frost

Johnathan Cabral will join a strong field at the Jerome Track Classic which includes, Andre De Grasse, Melissa Bishop, Sasha Gollish, Damian Warner, Wilfred Koffi, Shavez Hart, Jerome Blake, Liz Gleadle, James linde, Shai-Anne Davis and Ella Nelson.

It is possible that all tickets will be sold before the day of the meet.
Richard K. Miller, Chair of Marketing for the Achilles Track and Field Society
reports that advance sales leave about only 600 tickets of the 3000 available. 
Anyone who wishes to attend should go online at www.harryjerome.com now
to purchase the few remaining. Remember, seats are on a first come first serve basis.
Get there early to obtain a seat as general admission does not guarantee a seat

Andre De Grasse wins 200m at Rome Golden Gala

Read CBC Sports story here

On June 28, Canada’s Olympic dynamic medal-winning sprinter, Andre De Grasse, will be returning to compete at The Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic.

Andre De Grasse used last year’s Jerome meet as a tune-up for the Rio Summer Olympics where he engaged in some thrilling matchups with multiple-time gold medalist Usain Bolt of Jamaica. De Grasse won a silver medal in the 200-metres and bronze in both the 100 and 400-metre relays in Rio. 

Date: June 28, 2017

Gates Open: 5:30pm

Location: Percy Perry Stadium, Coquitlam, BC

The Harry Jerome International Track Classic is Canada's longest running track and field event. In its 33-year history, world and Olympic champions, world record holders, Canadian stars and young hopefuls have thrilled spectators, achieved personal bests and, thanks to the vision and dedication of the Achilles International Track and Field Society, continued in their quest to become Faster, Higher and Stronger.

The Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic is hosted by the Achilles International Track & Field Society, a non-profit society registered in British Columbia. Net proceeds from this event support track and field competition in BC.

Andre De Grasse will join a strong field at the Jerome Track Classic which includes, Melissa Bishop, Sasha Gollish, Damian Warner, Wilfred Koffi, Shavez Hart, Jerome Blake, Liz Gleadle, Shai-Anne Davis and Ella Nelson.

It is possible that all tickets will be sold before the day of the meet.
Richard K. Miller, Chair of Marketing for the Achilles Track and Field Society
reports that advance sales leave about only 600 tickets of the 3000 available. 
Anyone who wishes to attend should go online at www.harryjerome.com now
to purchase the few remaining. Remember, seats are on a first come first serve basis.
Get there early to obtain a seat as general admission does not guarantee a seat

James Linde maybe ready for baton exchange after Jerome Track Classic on June 28th

By Gary Kingston

Two months shy of his 23rd birthday, sprinter James Linde says he’s as fast as he’s ever been. Personal bests last month in his favored 200 metres (20.85 seconds) and in the 100 (10.51) prove that.

But the 2017 Trinity Western University grad is also a realist. And with a path to national team status for world championships or Olympics blocked by a trio of in-their-prime burners, Linde is thinking it might be time to consider chasing speedsters from a patrol car and not in shorts and a singlet.

He’s going to run the 200m at the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic on June 28th, competing on his home track at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam. And he’s hopeful of qualifying for the Canadian team for the World University Games in China in August. But that might mark the end of his competitive track career.

“I’m coming to terms with (a long career) not happening,” Linde said in an interview. “I just want to have fun with it this summer and then maybe retire. I’m trying to get into the police force. This season could be the last go-round, could be the end.”

Both his father and grandfather were police officers, so the “legacy” is calling.

He concedes though that it might be difficult to step away from the track, particularly after the excitement generated by a potential “breakout” season after that 20.85 in the 200 at a low-key meet in South Surrey. But he knows he’s unlikely to truly challenge the country’s top sprinters.

The 20.00  seconds or less club: a trio of in-their-prime burners

“It’s not a pessimist thing, it’s just that we’ve got three of the fastest Canadians of all time (contesting the 200 in Olympic hero Andre De Grasse, Brendon Rodney and Aaron Brown, all of whom have PBs of 20.00 or lower). It’s an amazing time in Canada for track right now in the sprints. I’m just on the outside looking in, although I’m farther along than I thought I would be.”

Linde, who wears an insulin pump as a result of being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 17, had an injury plagued 2016 and didn’t run much. He sheepishly admits that one of the injuries was a hamstring pull sustained when he and a buddy got a little too competitive while anchoring a fun relay for nine-year-old girls they were coaching.

“I wanted to catch him, went too hard and there went the hamstring,” he says with a chuckle.

He had a solid indoor season this winter, helping TWU capture its first U Sports (formerly CIS) indoor track title in February, winning the long jump and helping the Spartans to a pair of second-place finishes in relays.

“That was awesome, in the last year of my TWU career to put up our first banner. It was a really special moment.”

He’s looking for another special moment at the Jerome, which he last ran in 2015 at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby when he finished seventh in a 200-metre race won by American Wallace Spearmon, a world championships silver medalist.

With the track at Swangard unavailable this month, the meet has been moved to the cozy 1,400-seat Percy Perry Stadium

James Linde

“It’s one of the fastest tracks (in the Lower Mainland),” Linde, a member of the Coquitlam Cheetahs track club, said of the Mondo synthetic rubberized surface. “And I’ve always run pretty well there.”

He says the 200-metre field is a “bit of a mystery to me at the moment,” but he hears organizers are trying to land some of the trio of in-their-prime burners

“I hope they get someone like that. I really get a kick out of racing some of the top guys in the country.”

Linde says the atmosphere should be special for this year’s Jerome. “They’ve already sold out, or are close to it, so it’s going to be packed and there’s so much enthusiasm for track in this country now with De Grasse’s amazing runs at the Olympics.

“That’s going to really amp me up. My parents bought 10 tickets to send out to extended family that want to watch, so that’s going to make it even more exciting.”

James Linde will join a strong field at the Jerome Track Classic which includes, Andre De Grasse, Melissa Bishop, Sasha Gollish, Damian Warner, Wilfred Koffi, Shavez Hart, Jerome Blake, Liz Gleadle, Shai-Anne Davis and Ella Nelson.

It is possible that all tickets will be sold before the day of the meet.
Richard K. Miller, Chair of Marketing for the Achilles Track and Field Society
reports that advance sales leave about only 600 tickets of the 3000 available. 
Anyone who wishes to attend should go online at www.harryjerome.com now
to purchase the few remaining. Remember, seats are on a first come first serve basis.
Get there early to obtain a seat as general admission does not guarantee a seat