Canadian greats to clash in Ottawa

Cam Levins, who was previously announced for the race, will now be joined by Olympic and World Championship medalist Mohammed Ahmed.

Ahmed, who trains in Eugene, Oregon with the Bowerman Track Club, is the Canadian record holder over 10,000m and 5000m. His 5000m time of 12:47 is the 11th fastest of all time. The global running superstar also sports a pair of global medals: a silver from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a bronze from the 2019 World Championships.

Ahmed, 32, was born in Somalia before moving to Kenya as a refugee. When he was 11 years old, his family settled in Ontario. He has since represented Canada at competitions across the world, including three Olympics (2012, 2016, 2020).

Ahmed will face Levins for the first time since Levins began his illustrious marathon career, setting up a showdown between the fastest Canadian marathoner and half marathoner of all-time with the fastest Canadian 10,000m and 5000m runner of all-time. It is safe to say, the current Canadian record of 28:11, held by the reigning Canadian 10K Champion – Ben Flanagan, will be in jeopardy in Ottawa.

Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend elite athlete coordinator, Dylan Wykes, is excited at the prospect, “We are excited to welcome Moh to the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. We always enjoy when Canadian greats race on Canadian soil in front of home fans.”

The Canadian 10K Championship are also excited to welcome back 2022 champion Natasha Wodak and 2021 champion Leslie Sexton.

Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend is Canada’s biggest race weekend and will run on 27–28 May 2023.