Osaduik, Smith win national Half-Marathon titles
Posted Monday, 14 August, 2006
EDMONTON (CP) - Steve Osaduik of Nanaimo, B.C., won the national men's title while Lucy Smith of Victoria claimed the women's crown at the Canadian half-marathon championships Sunday.
Osaduik won a three-way battle, finishing in a time of one hour seven minutes 21 seconds. He edged Jim Finlayson of Victoria, who crossed in 1:07.36, while Winnipeg's Michael Booth took third in 1:07.47.
"It was a really tough race," said Osaduik, the 2004 champion. "At 14 kilometres, I fell off the pace but I just put my head down and I was able to catch up.
"I'm not totally surprised to win because I'm in good shape. I'm glad I could run that strong."
Smith waged a tough battle with Edmonton resident Aster Demissie en route to a time of 1:14.25. Demissie won the women's race in 1:14.22, but the Ethiopian native couldn't claim the national title as she's not a Canadian citizen.
"I'm still getting into top shape but I was pleased to finish so close to Aster and be competitive," said Smith.
Calgary's Lisa Harvey was the second Canadian woman in 1:18.20, while Tania Jones of Richmond Hill, Ont., was third in 1:18.28.
Canadian marathon champion Lioudmila Kortchaguina of Toronto dropped out halfway through the race with an injury.
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