John Marsden, Going the Distance Mon Mar 21 2011

Guelph, the running capital of Canada

Things are changing in the world of distance running and Guelph is stepping up to take its place as a centre of excellence.
For decades the Kenyans and Ethiopians have dominated distance-running events. Most races would break into two separate races, the African lead pack up front and a North American group further back.
This has changed. On Sunday, in the New York City Half Marathon, there were North Americans in the lead pack right up to the finish line. Both Galen Rupp and Kara Goucher of the United States finished in third place by small margins.