Lanni Marchant 4th, Mohammed Ahmed 5th on opening day of athletics at Commonwealth Games

Glasgow, SCO – Athletics (track and field) started today at the 2014 Commonwealth Games with the Canadian team recording a pair of top eight finishes, a new Commonwealth Games record, a new personal best and nine athletes qualifying to further rounds.

Opening athletics competition today was the women’s marathon where Lanni Marchant of London, Ont., fought hard for a fourth place finish in 2 hours 31 minutes and 14 seconds. Lanni, who was aiming for a top five finish, started to cramp near the end but did everything she could to end strong. “I'm feeling alright, I am pretty happy with it”, comments Lanni. “I was trying to catch them but around 37-kilometres my calf started to cramp on me a little so I had to make sure to run smart so I didn't completely cramp up. When the Aussie caught me I figured my medal contention might be up but I ended up catching fourth place.”

In the evening session Mohammed Ahmed of St. Catharines, Ont., raced to a fifth place finish at Hampden Park in the men’s 5000-metres. Mohammed crossed the line in a new personal best of 13:18.88, 10-seconds faster than his previous personal best. “I am a bit disappointed, I really wanted to go out there and be right there with those guys but you know I am a bit closer than I was last year. I have another race coming up on Friday and another Canadian there with me which will make it a little bit easier, so I am just going to go out there and have fun.” Mohammed adds, “It was a PB (personal best) today so you can’t be too disappointed with a 10 second improvement, I am not disappointed with the time just those two errors I wish I could take back and get a medal.”

In women’s hammer throw qualification Sultana Frizell of Perth, Ont., got right down to business. On her first throw Sultana reached 68.92-metres, a new Commonwealth Games record, and the throw secured her a spot in tomorrow’s final.

Five athletes advanced to the semi-finals of the 100-metres, which take place tomorrow. In the men’s sprint Aaron Brown of Toronto, Ont., and Dontae Richards-Kwok of Mississauga, Ont., clocked 10.39 and 10.36 respectively to advance. Jared Connaughton of New Haven, P.E.I., was third in his heat in 10.47 and did not advance. In the women’s sprint race all three Canadians automatically advanced; Khamica Bingham of Caledon, Ont., (11.44), Shai-Anne Davis of Richmond, B.C., (11.72) and Crystal Emmanuel of East York, Ont., (11.64).

Tim Nedow of Brockville, Ont., and Justin Rodhe of Kamloops, B.C., advanced to tomorrow’s shot put final. Tim registered a best throw of 19.84-metres and Justin registered a best throw of 19.14-metres in qualification.

Audrey Jean-Baptiste of Montreal, Que., advances to the women’s 400-metres semi-finals registering 54.15 seconds in her heat. Fawn Dorr of Marten River, Ont., did not advance (55.33 seconds).

Other Canadians in Action on Day 2

  • The decathlon gets underway with Damian Warner of London, Ont., in the 100-metres, long jump, shot put, high jump and 400-metres
  • Derek Drouin of Corunna, Ont., and Michael Mason of Nanoose Bay, B.C., in men’s high jump qualification
  • The men’s 400-metres rounds will include Daundre Barnaby of Brampton, Ont., Philip Osei of Toronto, Ont., and Michael Robertson of Williamstown, Ont.
  • Jim Steacy of Lethbridge, Alta., in the men’s hammer throw
  • Nicole Sifuentes of Winnipeg, Man., and Kate Van Buskirk of Toronto, Ont., in the women’s 1500-metres

Photo by Claus Andersen / Athletics Canada