Canadian athletes who competed at Burnaby’s Jerome Classic, Canada’s longest-running track and field event showcased their world-class talent at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, earning podium finishes, breaking national records, and inspiring fans across the country.
Rogers and Katzberg Dominate the Hammer
B.C. throwers Camryn Rogers and Ethan Katzberg once again proved that Canada reigns supreme in the hammer throw.
Rogers, the reigning Olympic champion and University of British Columbia alum, captured her second consecutive World Championship title, throwing 80.51m to set a new Canadian record. Her victory marks three consecutive global titles, Olympic and World combined, cementing her as one of Canada’s greatest of all time field athletes.
On the men’s side, Ethan Katzberg of Nanaimo, B.C., followed up his breakout 2023 campaign with another golden performance, launching his hammer 84.70m for both a Canadian and Championship record.
Dunfee Walks to Gold
Hometown hero Evan Dunfee of Richmond, B.C. and a crowd favourite at the Jerome Classic added another chapter to his illustrious career, won the world title, claiming gold in the 35km race walk with a time of 2:28:22.
The Olympic medallist continues to set the global pace in Canadian race walking.
Relay Teams Make History
Canada’s sprint squads brought excitement and national pride to the track.
The men’s 4x100m relay team featuring Andre De Grasse, Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, and Brendon Rodney stormed to a silver medal, reinforcing Canada’s position among the world’s sprinting elite.
Not to be outdone, the women’s 4x100m relay team, Sade McCreath, Jacqueline Madogo, Marie-Éloïse Leclair, and Audrey Leduc broke the Canadian record, clocking 42.38 to qualify for the final and finish 7th in the world. For McCreath, an Olympian and familiar face at the Jerome Classic – the relay result showcased the ongoing connection between B.C.’s top meet and world-class performances.
Distance and Middle-Distance Highlights
In the marathon, Cam Levins from Black Creek and Courtenay on Vancouver Island, Canada’s marathon and half marathon record holder, finished 12th overall in 2:11:07. Levins, who set the Canadian half-marathon record at RUNVAN’s First Half in 2023, continues to raise the standard for Canadian distance running on the global stage. Fellow Canadians Justin Kent and Ben Preisner followed in 35th and 36th, while Natasha Wodak placed 31st in the women’s race (2:36:02).
On the track, Marco Arop celebrated his 27th birthday with a bronze medal in the men’s 800m, maintaining his status as one of Canada’s most consistent middle-distance stars.
In the women’s 1500m, Gabriela Debues-Stafford finished 11th overall, marking another strong showing for the two-time Olympian and Jerome Classic alum. Lucia Stafford, also a two-time Olympian, competed alongside Kate Current, both of whom proudly represented Canada.
Young talents Matti Erickson and Justin O’Toole made their World Championship debuts in the 800m, continuing Canada’s depth in middle-distance running.
Field and Track Highlights
Sarah Mitton came close to the podium in the women’s shot put, finishing fourth in another world-class showing.
Jacqueline Madogo fresh off her relay success also lined up in the women’s 200m, finishing 6th in 23.23, while Audrey Leduc carried her momentum from the relay to the 200m heats.
A Season of Strength and Resilience
While Pierce LePage, the reigning World Decathlon Champion, was unable to defend his title, and Charles Philibert-Thiboutot closed his career in the 1500m, Canada’s next generation of stars many of whom honed their craft at the Jerome Classic continued to rise.
From the track to the field, Canadians showed heart, strength, and world-class performance – a testament to the growing legacy of Canadian athletics.
