Athletics Canada – News – Pair of Olympians to lead Canada\’s entry at Chiba Ekiden Road Race Relay in Japan

OTTAWA – Athletics Canada officially named today the athletes who will travel to Chiba, Japan for the 24th International Chiba Ekiden Road Race Relay on November 23.  The unique event features teams of men and women running six alternate legs to cover the marathon distance of 42.195-kilometres. 

The Canadian team is led by 2012 Olympians Reid Coolsaet of Hamilton, Ont., and Alex Genest of Lac-aux-Sables, Que.  Coolsaet finished 27^th in the men's marathon competition at the London Games, while Genest recorded a seasonal best in the men's 3000-metres steeplechase.  The team is also comprised of Krista DuChene of Brantford, Ont., and Lanni Marchant of London, Ont.  Both women have run under the 2013 World Championship marathon standard.   

The race will unfold as follows:

1st leg – men's 5km
2nd leg – women's 5km
3rd leg – men's 10km
4th leg – women's 5km
5th leg – men's 10km
6th leg – women's 7.195km

2012 Chiba Ekiden Road Race Team

Integrated Support Team

The first International Chiba Ekiden was held in 1988.  The event made the move to mixed gender teams in 2007.

-AC-

 Athletics Canada – News