Canadian Champions to Clash at 47th Springbank Road Races

This Sunday, September 7th, Runners' Choice will host the 47th annual Hardick Chiropractic Centre Springbank Road Races, in support of St. Joseph's Hospice. Thanks to an increase in prize money for the top Open runners, the entries indicate this may be the strongest field the event has seen for quite some time.

2-time defending Springbank Half Marathon Champion Leslie Sexton will face 5-time Canadian Marathon Champion Lioudmila Kortchaguina. Sexton also has some Canadian Championship titles to her name, while both women have Half Marathon personal bests times indicating they can threaten the 1:15:37 course record. Other quick women in the Half Marathon include locals Kate Reid, Courtney Laurie, and Bethany McChesney.

The 2013 Around the Bay 30k Champion Terence Attema is the favourite to win the Men's Half Marathon over 2013 Springbank Half Marathon Champion Matt Suda and 2012 Champ Adam Stacey. Ben Perks returns to London to compete once again at the Springbank Road Races, where he has racked up many top-8 finishes over the years.

Along with the 2013 Open winners Sexton and Suda, the 2013 Masters Half Marathon winners will return to defend their titles this weekend with Richard McClelland of London looking to lead the 40+ Men and Kelly Moore of Windsor seeking the Masters title for women.

The Springbank Road Races are the longest running road race in London, Ontario, with a rich history that includes many Canadian Champions and International level runners. There's still time for you to be a part of the Springbank Road Race history by taking part in the 47th edition of the event this Sunday.

Photo: Start of the 2013 Springbank Half Marathon