There were 152 anxious and hopeful runners standing on the start line for the boys' senior 7,000-metre race Thursday to wrap up the cold and overcast National Capital Secondary School Athletic Association cross-country running championships.

Every one of them carried a desire to lead the pack over the orange finish line spray painted on the grass at the Hornet's Nest soccer complex inside the Green's Creek Conservation Area. But everyone knew the winner in advance, and Yves Sikubwabo of Glebe confirmed their suspicions with a blistering second-half run and an impressive time of 23 minutes 42.50 seconds.

Alexander Berhe of Woodroffe, who made a wrong turn during the West Conference championships last weekend, was right on track this time and finished second in 24: 30.70. Third place went to Scott Donald of Nepean, 24: 34.82, while Mickey Day of Holy Trinity took fourth in 24: 43.44.