Mutai wins Ottawa 10k 2012

Geoffrey Mutai wins Ottawa 10k 2012

May 26, 2012 – OTTAWA – With a time of 27:41, 30-year-old Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai led a talented field of elite racers across the finish line of the 10K distance in this evening’s Tamarack Homes Ottawa Race Weekend.

Mutai did not break the 27:24 course record set in 2009 by Deriba Merga of Ethiopia.

American Lindsey Scherf, 25, led an international field across the finish line in a time of 33:12. Close behind her was Alemitu Abera and Alemtsehay Misganaw, both of Ethiopia, who finished in 33:35 and 33:39 respectively.

First Canadian man to finish was Eric Gillis – with a time of 30:18. Gillis made Ottawa one of his stops on the way to the Olympics Summer Games in London, where he has earned a spot on the Canadian marathon team.

Rhiannon Johns, 21, of Sault Ste. Marie, was the first Canadian woman to cross the finish line – in 34:45.  Placing sixth overall, she led four Canadian women in the top 10 category.

In the master’s category (over 40), Steve Boyd, 40, of Kingston, finished with 32:21, while Thornhill’s Lioudmila Kortchaguina, 40, posted a time of 35:47.

Weather conditions were favourable for the record 10,691 10K runners and the crowds who cheered them on in the city’s downtown core. Earlier, 9,587 participated in the 5K race and 3,343 in a 2K distance. About 42,000 in total will participate in the seven races organized over the two day Race Weekend.

Top 10 Men

Top 10 Women