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Kevin Tree Fastest Canadian at FISU
Coach Kip Sigsworth and all-star runner Kevin Tree represented Canada over the weekend in Cassino, Italy, at the FISU World University Cross Country Running Championship. Tree qualified for the Canadian team back in November, as Sigsworth was selected to lead the Canadian team of 12 athletes.
Results Package Photo credit: FISU Organizing Committee
Tree was the fastest Canadian, finishing first among his teammates and 25th overall in a field of 75 athletes from around the world. Tree finished with a time of 35:14, about 2 minutes back of 1st place. As a team the Moroccans were the fastest by far, finishing 1-through-4 in the 10.7km race.
Tree was pleased and grateful for the experience of representing his country and competing in such a strong class of athletes.
“Overall I’m excited with the result from the weekend,” commented Tree. “The course was as challenging and technical as I have ever run which made for a tough race. Overall a great experience with an awesome group of people!”
The course was a very tough 1500m loop with three significant hills that the men ran seven times. The course had dried out some by race day but it was still very muddy.
Kevin ran well, moving through the field each lap and getting up to 23rd place entering the final lap and looking poised to catch a pack of about five athletes just in front of him. Unfortunately he cramped up heading into the last lap and went from moving forward up the field to fighting to defend his position.
“It was a great week in Italy and an amazing experience for the athletes,” said coach Sigsworth. “The race was an eye opening experience seeing how hard the African athletes took the race out and how well the managed to hang on.”
Sigsworth continued, “Kevin ran well – he wasn’t able to go out with the lead group but stayed strong and gradually moved up as the race progressed. Unfortunately he cramped up but he didn’t panic and managed to hang on for a top 25 finish.”
*Audio Feature* Liston to interview w/ Kevin Tree about his FISU experience: