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Champions back to defend titles at TC10K


April 27, 2017


Sunday’s TC10K features a talented women’s field, chasing honours in the 5th race in the 2017 BC Super Series, and a number of returning Kenyans contesting the men's race.

Four-time defending champion Jane Murage of Kenya failed to finish last weekend’s Vancouver Sun Run, and will have her work cut out to claim a fifth title.

Challenging her will be in-form Dayna Pidhoresky of Vancouver, winner of last weekend’s Scotiabank Montreal Half Marathon, as well as last month’s Around The Bay 30K in Hamilton, where she beat Murage convincingly. Pidhoresky will be looking to improve her 10K PB of 33:35 set last year at the Vancouver Eastside 10K.

Another in-form athlete is last year’s runner-up and 2016 Canadian Half Marathon Champion, Emily Setlack of Cold Lake, AB, who ran a personal best to finish fourth at last weekend’s Vancouver Sun Run in 33:44.

Just behind Setlack at the Sun Run, and returning to fitness following foot surgery, Rio Olympian and Canadian 10,000m record holder Natasha Wodak, returns to the TC10K for the first time since winning in 2012.

Also returning is 2015 runner-up and last year’s third place finisher, Lindsey Scherf of the US. Scherf finished second at December’s Honolulu Marathon in 2:34.

Late entrant, and another Rio Olympian who placed 6th at the Sun Run, is Victoria based Hilary Stellingwerff.

Rounding out the elite women’s field is 4-time Sun Run masters champion Catherine Watkins.

Defending men’s champion Daniel Kipkoech of Kenya is the favourite for the men’s title. Since winning last year’s race Kipkoech has gone on to win the 2016 Vancouver and Victoria Marathons, the Calgary 10K and the Edmonton Half Marathon. Last weekend he finished 3rd at the Vancouver Sun Run in 29:54, and is preparing to defend his Vancouver Marathon title next weekend.

2013 Champion Paul Kimugul likely poses the greatest challenge, but Kimugul was only 8th at this year’s Sun Run, and placed 4th at last years TC10K.

Last years 3rd place finisher, Solomon Rotich, also of Kenya, is another returnee. But he was only 15th at this year's Vancouver Sun Run.

Local Nick Walker, who recently won the Island Race Series, may spoil a Kenyan sweep of the men's podium. While another local, Jim Finlayson, will defend his masters title.

The action gets underway from in front of the Empress Hotel at 8:00am Sunday, with the finish in front of the BC Legislature. Complete information at www.tc10k.ca