Krista Duchene of Brandford, Ont., Thomas Toth of Lakefield, Ont., and Sami Jibril of Toronto, Ont., headline a talented group of distance runners competing Sunday, May 29 at the 2016 Canadian Half Marathon Championships. This marks the second year that the championship event takes place in conjunction with the Calgary Marathon’s Centaur Subaru Half Marathon. For those not in Calgary, the Canadian Half Marathon Championships will be webcast live on AthleticsCanada.tv.

In the women’s championship race, Krista Duchene, who has achieved the Olympic marathon standard, is the class of the field. Duchene has looked strong this spring, winning the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal and finishing second in Around the Bay. The half marathon national championship is a great way to test her fitness as she builds towards representing Canada in Rio.

Also setting their sights on the title are: 2015 IAAF Cross Country national team member Natasha LaBeaud of Kelowna, B.C.; 2:37 marathoner, Erin Burrett of Nanaimo, B.C., and Emily Setlack of Cold Lake, Alta.

In the men’s division, Thomas Toth was a pleasant surprise at the Chevron Houston Half Marathon earlier this season when he ran 1:04:28. Unheralded before that result, Toth will get a challenge from Sami Jabril. Jibril represented Canada as part of the 2014 Chiba Ekiden marathon Relay, and was only two seconds behind Toth in Houston.

Others looking to challenge include: Yussuf Abdusalem of Winnipeg, Man.; Terrence Attema of Abbotsford, B.C.; Seth Marcaccio of London, Ont., and John Mason of Drumbo, Ont.

For more information on Athletics Canada’s 2016 Canadian Half Marathon Championship, including webcast info, results and elite start lists please visit the event webpage.