Leading the way was two-time Olympian and World silver medallist Sarah Mitton, who continued her remarkable summer by breaking her own Jerome Classic women’s shot put record with a throw of 20.66 metres. The mark was Mitton’s third consecutive meet over 20.60 metres, a season’s best and just two centimetres shy of her Canadian record.
“It honestly feels pretty good,” says Mitton. “I was able to use the energy of the crowd here, build a little bit more speed… that’s only 2 cm under my lifetime best. So I’m pretty happy to do that and even more happy to do it in Canada.”
Mitton also encouraged young athletes to remain patient in their development.
“Take your time, do multiple sports and try multiple events. Your track and field journey can take a lot of turns before you find your way. Here I am, ranked number three in the world.”
Canada’s middle-distance athletes also put on a memorable display.
Jonathan Podbielski won the men’s 1500m in 3:38.57, setting a new Jerome Classic event record with a perfectly executed tactical race. Rather than forcing the pace, Podbielski waited patiently before making his decisive move down the home straight.
“I switched the mindset from running fast to more of a winning the race strategy,” says Podbielski. “I was able to sit on the leader and catch him on the home stretch.”
On the women’s side, Maggie Smith captured the 1500m title in 4:10.74 after navigating a championship-style race.
“This was a slower race, but it ramped up as it went on,” Smith explains. “I tried to stay patient… there was a great pacer, an amazing field and I wanted to wait until the last lap and see what I could do.”
Smith also shared advice for young athletes watching from the stands.
“Have fun, don’t take it too seriously, do lots of events and you’ll find your niche.”
In the women’s 400m, Grace Konrad continued her return to top form, winning in 52.35 after battling injuries earlier this season.
“Feeling good, coming back from injury and getting back into shape and loving the 400 metres,” shares Konrad.
Canadian distance runners also claimed both 5000-metre titles.
Representing the Calgary Spartans, Matthew Travaglini won the men’s race in 14:16.15, while Olympian Alycia Butterworth returned to Swangard Stadium to win the women’s race in 16:54.54. Butterworth reflected on her long connection to the venue.
“I’ve been racing at Swangard since high school,” she says. “Have fun, enjoy the club atmosphere, enjoy running with your friends, and remember there’s always a learning opportunity, even after a bad race.”
One of the evening’s most inspiring performances came in the women’s 3000m race walk.
While Olivia Lundman captured the victory in 13:25.61, fellow Canadian Maya Piesik finished second overall in 14:06.64, lowering her own Canadian U18 record for the second consecutive year at the Jerome Classic. Already the Canadian U18 record holder in both the 3000m and 5000m race walk, Piesik continues to establish herself as one of Canada’s brightest young prospects.
The men’s race walk produced another memorable local story as Lowell Solmes won in a personal best 12:16.93. Solmes, the son of longtime Killarney Secondary School coach Rob Solmes, trains only minutes from Swangard Stadium at nearby Killarney Track, making the victory especially meaningful.
“Privilege,” Solmes says when asked to describe his season in one word. “It’s a lot of fun to have the opportunity to come here and race. I don’t get a lot of opportunities as a racewalker. I PB’d at every race this season, so we’re going to wrap it up on a high.”
The Canadian success extended into the field events, where Rowan Hamilton captured the men’s hammer throw with 73.87 metres. Competing just weeks after welcoming a newborn child, Hamilton admitted he felt “tired,” but was thrilled to compete before a home crowd against an international field.
Meanwhile, Canadian athletes filled the podiums throughout the evening, including Michelle Harrison, who won the women’s 100m hurdles in 13.19, and strong podium finishes from Nathaniel George, Felimon Henok, Ella Clayton, Jordyn Reed, Sadie-Jane Hickson, Glynis Sim, Rui Ramsay, and numerous other Canadians across the program.
The Jerome Classic once again demonstrated the strength of Canadian track and field, providing established Olympians, rising national team members and the country’s next generation of athletes an opportunity to compete against world-class international competition on home soil.
