LUC BRUCHET & RACHEL CLIFF QUALIFY FOR 2017 NACAC ROAD RACE CUP

This article was originally published by Athletics Canada on February 9th, 2017

Today Athletics Canada named four athletes for the 2017 NACAC Road Race Cup taking place in San Juan, Puerto Rico February 26, 2017 at the World’s Best 10k, an IAAF Gold Label event. The team consists of Eric Gillis of Guelph, Ont., Lanni Marchant of London, Ont., Lucas Bruchet of White Rock, B.C., and Rachel Cliff of Vancouver, B.C.

Eric Gillis, the tenth-place finisher in the marathon at the 2016 Olympic Games marathon, had the top Canadian 10km time in 2016 of 30:16 from the Eastside Vancouver 10k. Along with having the fastest time on the roads, Gillis also won the Canadian track 10,000-metres Championship.

At the Rio Games Lanni Marchant raced in both the 10,000-metres and the marathon. The Canadian marathon record holder had the second fastest Canadian 10,000-metres time with her 32:04.21 clocking in Rio. Marchant was the top NACAC finisher at last year’s inaugural event leading the Canadian team to victory.

Lucas Bruchet recorded the fastest Canadian time in the 10,000-metres in 2016. His time of 28:45.81 was achieved at the Payton Jordan Invitational in Palo Alto, Ca. Bruchet qualified for the Olympic Games in the 5000-metres and wrapped up the 2016 season by placing third in the Canadian 5km Road Championships.

Rachel Cliff also had a tremendous season. Along with posting the third fastest 10,000-metres time by a Canadian (32:21.98), Cliff raced to a personal best in the 5000-metres (15:23.94). The Vancouver native has been a consistent presence on national teams, earning a place on the podium at the last four consecutive Canadian Cross Country Championships.

2017 NACAC 10K Road Race Cup
(Name, hometown, coach, club, affiliation)

Men

Eric Gillis, Guelph, Ont., Dave Scott-Thomas, Speed River
Lucas Bruchet, White Rock, B.C., Richard Lee, BC Endurance Project

Women

Lanni Marchant, London, Ont., Dave Mills, London Western
Rachel Cliff, Vancouver, B.C., Richard Lee, BC Endurance Project

Head Coach

John Lofranco, Montreal, Que.,  Athlétisme Ville-Marie