The 2016 Athletics Ontario Provincial Championships kicked off Sunday morning at Fireman’s Park with the Ontario Master’s 5km.
With a cold wind that kept temperatures feeling well below 11 degrees for a majority of the day, athletes looked to cap off their 2016 season on a high note.
For many athletes, the course proved challenging; quickly narrowing into the forest making the first 100 meters critical. A relief from the gusty conditions, athletes packed in tight going through the forest, breaking off into several small groups as they made their way to the first clearing.
In the Senior Women’s category, it was Sasha Gollish who held onto her Championship title holding off a fierce Rachel Hannah. Hannah broke out and lead the women’s group for the first lap, Gollish opened up her stride in the second half to finish with a time of 20:26.00. Hannah would finish in second with 20:33 followed by Victoria Cotes 20:45.
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It was Sami Jibril of the Newmarket Huskies who took home the Senior Men’s 10km Championship title ahead of Toronto Olympic Club Hajin Tola and Berhanu Degefa. Jibril covered the 10km course in an impressive 30:45. Hajin Tola went on to secure second place with a time of 31:08 followed by teammate  Berhanu Degefa in third. clocking in at 31:33.
The largest female race of the day was the Midget Girls with over 116 participants. Cameron Ormond of the Newmarket Huskies was looking for her third XC title on Sunday. Central Toronto‘s Alexandra Weir would out stride Ormond, forcing Ormond out of the top spot with a time of 10:33. Ormond and third place finisher Remy Cattell, also from Central Toronto would finish with a time of 10:39. With AC Nationals two weeks away, expect another noteworthy and memorable performance from all.
Nicolas Mota of the Newmarket Huskies dominated the Midget Boys field, crushing his competition with a time of 13:54. Chase Chanty of the Windsor Legions found himself in the company of Huskies with his second place finish of 14:10, followed up quickly by Alex Sandras of Newmarket running a 14:16.
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2016 Overall Cross Country Championships
The 2016 Overall Cross County Champions was awarded to the Newmarket Huskies after a combined team total of 190 points. For the fourth consecutive year, the Newmarket Huskies have defended their Cross Country title. Central Toronto Athletics Club edged out UTTC to secure second place. For the third straight year, Central Toronto athletes have made monumental improvements, giving the Newmarket Huskies new competition on the Cross Country circuit.
Complete standings for the top five teams are as follows:
| Newmarket Huskies Track Club | 190 |
| Central Toronto Athletic Club | 129 |
| University OF Toronto T.C | 117 |
| Toronto Olympic Club | 57 |
| Durham Dragons Athletics | 52 |