September 2000 Report

SEPTEMBER 20, 2000 RUNNING REPORT

 

JEFF SCHIEBLER – A CANADIAN IN JAPAN

Jeff Schiebler is probably Canada’s best unknown runner.  Few Canadians could tell you who Jeff Schiebler is and even many runners are not cognisant of Canada’s record holder at the 3,000m, 5,000m and 10,000m.  One of the reasons for this lack of recognition is that Jeff has been spending most of the last four years in Japan.  Schiebler has been fortunate enough to have been offered lucrative six-figure contracts to represent NEC, the Japanese electronics giant.

As a Canadian in Japan, Schiebler stands out with his blond hair and blue eyes, much to the delight of his sponsor.  Schiebler is one of the few non-African runners competing for a Japanese firm.  He is becoming more and more recognizable and during the Olympics, he will probably have as many fans from Japan cheering for him as Canadian fans.  This overseas arrangement has permitted Schiebler to reach the highest level in track and field.  Since his life is very structured and regimented, he can focus totally on running.  This has paid off immensely as he has set some Canadian records.  Of course, existence is not quite as exciting as most 27 year olds would accept.  Schiebler though accepts this for now and he does his best under the circumstances.  He spends some of his free time learning Japanese, which could serve him in the future.

Before Scheibler went to Japan, he was progressing well as a runner in Canada.  He started running in 1988, initially as a steeplechaser.  He was the Canadian Junior Champion in the steeplechase until he injured his ankle jumping over a water pit.  Jeff then gravitated to the distance events, with no particular preference between the 5,000m or 10,000m.  He holds the Canadian record in both events with times of 13:14 and 27:46 respectively.  He will also be representing Canada in the Sydney Olympics in both events. 

Though he holds Canadian records, Schiebler has no illusions about his possible performances in Sydney.  He believes he can reach the final, but with the strength of the Kenyans and Ethiopians, he just hopes to do his best.  In Atlanta in the 1996 Olympics, Schiebler was not able to reach the final.  Four years later, his performances and times have improved and his speed is greater.  He should be able to run with the best in the finals.

Once the Olympics are over, we should start seeing Jeff on the roads more and more.  Currently he runs in Ekiden races, which are extremely popular in Japan.  He has also dabbled in the half-marathon, topping the Canadian rankings in the last few years with times around 60-62 minutes.  In a few years, Schiebler plans on moving up to the marathon.  Hopefully then, as he returns to North America, he will not be unknown anymore.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2000 – 2nd Canadian Championship 5000m in 13:30

-         1st Canadian Championship 10,000m in 28:14

1999 – 1st Canadian Championship 5000m in 13:59

-         competed in World Cross Country Championships in Belfast

1998 – 1st Canadian Championship 5000m in 14:02

1997 – 1st Canadian Championship 5000m in 13:49

-         competed in World Championship 5000 in Athens in 13:57

1996 – 1st Canadian Championship 10,000m in 28:56

-         competed in Atlanta Olympic Games 10,000m in 29:48

-         competed in World Cross Country Championships in Capetown

1995 – 1st Canadian Championship 5000m in 14:04

-         competed in Wolrd Championships 10,000m in Goteborg in 29:12

-         competed in World Cross Country Championships in Durham

1994 – 1st Canadian Championship 5000m in 13:52

-         competed in Commonwealth Games 5000m in 13:50

-         competed in World Cross Country Championships in Humgary

 

QUEBEC CITY MARATHON DES DEUX RIVES

This was the third year of this now popular late summer marathon destination.  The race had record participation and record setting performances.  Kenyan Joseph Maina bested the course record as he came in at 2:26:49.  He was followed by Christian Marmen, one of Canada’s best road runner, who completed the course in 2:29:58.  Previous 1998 winner Miguel Sanchez was third in 2:33:52.  Paul Tessier won the Masters race in 2:48:21.  The women’s race crowned a new champion as Masters runner Louise Voghel won in 2:56:55.  She was followed by Nathalie Chouinard and Lucy Carr.  This race held on August 27 this year, attracted over 1300 competitors.  Unfortunately for the runners, the course was particularly demanding as the wind blew off the St. Lawrence and forced runners to battle the wind for the last 11 km. 

This year, the race organizers added two events to attract runners who are not quite ready for the marathon.  In the half-marathon race, Hélène-Marie Vandermissen, sister of last year’s marathon winner, won in 1:28:52.  In the men’s race, François Marceau won in 1:13:14.  Masters runners Jennifer MacDonell and Alan Moore won their categories in 1:32:28 and 1:19:14 respectively.  In the accompanying 10K race, David Savard-Gagnon and Karine Levebvre won the races.  All the races are point-to-point with the marathon and half-marathon starting on one shore of the St.Lawrence and ending on the other shore in old Quebec City.

      

Joseph Maina, Christian Marmen, Miguel Sanchez and Louise Voghel coming to the finish line.

Marathon

Male

 

Female

 

1. Joseph Maina (KEN)

2:26:49

Louise Voghel

2:56:55

2. Christian Marmen

2:29:58

Nathalie Chouinard

3:08:56

3. Miguel Sanchez

2:33:52

Lucy Carr

3:09:53

Masters

1. Paul Tessier

2:48:21

Louise Voghel

2:56:55

Half-Marathon

Female

 

Male

 

1. Hélène-Marie Vandermissen

1:28:52

François Marceau

1:13:14

2. Christine Soucy

1:14:28

Claude Faucher

1:30:21

Masters

1. Jennifer MacDonell

1:32:28

Alan Moore

1:19:14

10K

Male

 

Female

 

1. David Savard-Gagnon

34:49

Karine Lefebvre

38:34

Masters

1. Jacques Bourgeois

36:55

Louise Martineau

43:14

 

RUNNING IN SYDNEY

The Olympic Games are already underway in Sydney, Australia, showcasing the best athlete in the world.  For fans of running, the focus will be on the track and field events which start on September 22 and go to the last day of the Games on September 30.  CBC is primed for the events and will be covering the Games for up to 18 hours per day.  Die hard fans might stay up all night to watch the events, but for most of us, we will probably be watching the events as they are being rebroadcasted at more reasonable hours.  For the middle to long distance events, watch for the following:

1500m men – September 28

1500m women – September 29

5,000m men – September 29

5,000m women - September 24

10,000m men – September 24

10,000m women – September 29

Marathon men – September 30

Marathon women – September 23

 

Canada is sending only a partial team in the middle events.  With the quality of running in the world presently, it will be interesting to see Canadians in the thick of things.  Though secretly hoping for medals, all we can really ask our athletes is to do their best as they represent Canada.  In the 1,500m, with Hicham el Guerrouj and the strength of the Kenyans, Moroccans and Algerians, Kevin Sullivan, ranked 7th in the world this year, will have quite a battle on his hands.  For Leah Pells in the women’s 1,500m, after her spectacular 4th place finish in 1996 in Atlanta, anything close to that would be fantastic.  With the recent performances of American Suzy Favor-Hamilton, as well as some Europeans, as long as she races to her potential, she will have performed admirably.

In the 5,000m and 10,000m men’s race, we have 2 Canadians, Sean Kaley and Jeff Schiebler.  The strength of the African nations is undeniable with Paul Tergat and Haile Grebresellasie racing.  Just competing in the finals will demonstrate the excellence of our runners.  In the women’s 10,000m race, once again the African nations should dominate, but Gabriella Szabo from Romania should come out on top.  Tina Connelly and Carol Montgomery have produced strong results this year and it will be wonderful to see them compete for Canada. With Bruce Deacon our sole Canadian in the marathon event, he will need to show great perseverance as he will not be able to run with compatriots.  Deacon’s experience with strong performances at World Championships and his participation at the Atlanta Olympics should serve him well in Sydney.

We should all wish our athletes the best of luck and be proud of how they represent Canada in Sydney.  GO CANADA GO!!!

 

LA GRANDE COURSE DE MONTREAL

La Grande Course de Montreal 10K was held on Saturday September 9.  The race with its prize money attracted some of the Kenyans racing in North America.  It was quite lucrative for them as they placed 3 men and 2 women at the top of the rankings.  David Garana won the men’s race in 29:03, while Grace Momanyi won her race in 33:30.  Fraser Bertram was the 1st Canadian in 4th place overall in a time of 30:56.  In the women’s race, Danuta Bartoszek showed great form as she placed third overall in 34:18. In the Masters race, Diane Légaré won by recording a Canadian 45-49 record in a time of 35:48.  Jerry Kooymans won the Masters men in 32:42.

Male

 

Female

 

1. David Garana (KEN)

29:03

Grace Momanyi

33:30

2. Joseph Nadiritu

29:05

Jackline Torori

33:36

3. Joseph Kamau

29:08

Danuta Bartoszek

34:18

4. Fraser Bertram

30:56

Isabelle Ledroit

34:30

5. Hassan Zaghry

31:26

Véronique Vandermissen

35:04

Masters

1. Jerry Kooymans

32:42

Diane Légaré

35:48

 

COMPLETE MARATHON TEAM FOR WORLD CUP 2001

Athletics Canada has just announced that Canada will be sending a full marathon team at the IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Edmonton in August 2001.  The World Cup 2001 will be part of the marathon during the Championships and pits teams from various countries for the World Cup title.  Canada has never sent a full team in previous Championship, but with the event in our own backyard, Athletics Canada has made a decision that will please Canadian road runners.  A full team in the Marathon World Cup is comprised of 5 male and 5 female athletes.  Athletics Canada is planning on presenting the qualifying criteria this month.  All that is known so far is that there will be no qualifying standards per se and that the period that will be considered will start from January 1, 2000.  Check the Athletics Canada web site for details.

 

RESULTS

August 9 – Saskatchewan Marathon, Saskatoon, SK

Marathon: M1 – Brian Michasiw – 2:47:54; F1 – Karen Zunti – 3:05:28

Half-Marathon: M1 – Ron Balezanis – 1:20:12; F1 - Angela Plamondon – 1:28:04

10K: M1 – Cory Forrest – 33:31; F1 – Olivia Yuel – 34:37

 

August 27 – Yellowknife Marathon, Yellowknife

M1. Corey Borolien – 3:19:48;  F1. Roslyn Smith – 3:56:17

 

September 3 – Comox Valley Country Roads Marathon, Courtenay, BC

M1. Alex Coffin – 2:48:32; F1. Gillian Wilson-Haffenden – 3:10:39

 

September 3 – South Peace Marathon, Grande Prairie, AB

M1. Bill Corcoran – 2:59:23; F1. Jeannette Brooks – 3:48:47

 

September 9 – Brockville Half Marathon, Brockville, ON

M1. Kevin Beatty – 1:12:50; F1. Cindy New – 1:27:20

 

September 10 – Gloucester Half Marathon and 5K, Gloucester, ON

Half Marathon

Male

 

Female

 

1. Harry Welten

1:16:59

Nancy Morrison

1:25:00

2. Dave Saville

1:18:25

Kelly Knoll

1:26:41

3. Chad Pawson

1:19:05

Sheila Kealey

1:27:40

Masters

1. Harry Welten

1:16:59

Nancy Morrison

1:25:00

5K

Male

 

Female

 

1. Francis Menard

16:05

Lynne Bermel

17:36

2. Richard Stern

16:10

Barb Saville

19:06

3. Richard Charette

16:24

Stacey Chyz

19:14

Masters

1. Larry McCloskey

16:40

Paula Hickman

19:51

 

September 10 – Land’s End Half Marathon, Victoria, BC

Male

 

Female

 

1. Rob Harmsworth

1:12:32

Sheron Chrysler

1:29:56

2. Alex Coffin

1:15:19

Joan Harmsworth

1:31:19

3. Gary Barber

1:16:06

Gwyn Woodson

1:31:36

Masters

1. Andrew Mehl

1:17:05

Gwyn Woodson

1:31:36

 

September 10 – Canadian Rocky Mountain Marathon, Canmore, AB

Marathon: M1. Patrick Benedict (USA) – 2:39:51; F1. Althea Shaw – 3:18:00

Half-Marathon: M1. Lonnie Matsuno – 1:18:13; F1. Sharisse Kyle – 1:28:52

 

September 10 – Lake Ainslie Marathon, Lake Ainslie, NS

M1. Charlie LeFort – 2:50:26; F1. Geraldine Cooper – 3:55:02

 

September 10 – Leaps and Bound 5K, Toronto

F1. Tania Jones – 17:44; M1 – Leslie Bellack – 19:09

 

September 10 – Longboat Island 10K, Toronto

M1. Manuel Salvati – 33:14; F1. Ali Drynan – 37:04