Local runners claim Canadian cross country championships
Although it’s not her normal distance, or on a track, this past weekend Lucknow, Ont.’s Julie-Anne Staehli claimed the Canadian women’s cross country title.
“It is very special. Anytime you can get a national title, especially in an event that’s double my distance, and not on a track, it’s very cool,” said the 28-year-old runner.
On the same day, Forest, Ont.’s Connor Black claimed the senior’s men title, following a 10th place finish last year.
“It’s still sinking in for sure. Been buzzing the past couple of days,” said Black, who now calls London home.
Staehli and Black both hail from small towns in rural Ontario. Staehli from the Lucknow area, and Black, from Forest – but both are national champions.
Julie-Anne Staehli is seen in this undated photo: (Source: Julie-Anne Staehli)
“I started running in Watford and Forest, both small rural towns in Lambton County, and I think my community shapes me, and that means a lot to me,” said Black.
“Coming from a really small town, you’re used to these rolling hills. You’re used to running in colder temperatures, and less than ideal conditions,” added Staehli.
With their victories last weekend in Ottawa, both Staehli and Black booked their ticket to February’s World Cross Country Championships in Australia.
But, both have their eyes further down the road to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Staehli, trying to get back to the Olympic stage after debuting in the 5,000 metres in Beijing, and Black, trying to crash the Canadian Olympic team for the first time.
“I definitely want to put my hat in the ring, and make that Olympic team, for sure,” said Black.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.