UBC Okanagan Heat alumni Eliyah Brawdy is the Canadian women’s 10,000m champion.
Brawdy broke the tape in a time of 33 minutes, 37.52 seconds at the Pacific Distance Carnival hosted at Percy Perry Stadium in Burnaby.
Along with the gold medal, Brawdy also took home $750 in prize money.
The cross-country runner turned track star is coached by Malindi Elmore, the Canadian marathon record holder and a two time Olympian who was just named to her third team for the 2024 Paris Games.
Elmore is the head coach of the UBCO Heat Cross Country and Track team, that Brawdy trained with from 2019-2023. “I am thrilled by Eliyah’s progression over the last few years,” said Elmore.
She said Brawdy’s success is a result of the athlete’s dedication and hard work.
“She has a bright future ahead.”
READ MORE: ‘I love to race and can’t seem to stop’: Kelowna’s Elmore makes 3rd Olympic team
Elmore made her first Olympic team in 2004, where she competed in the 1550m race on the track. She then retired from competitive running in 2012, but it did not stick.
Shortly after the birth of her second son, Elmore decided that her time as an elite runner was not over.
She made her second Olympic team in 2020, and placed ninth in the Tokyo marathon.
As a 43 year-old mother of three who is an advocate for sustainable training and longevity in sport, one of Elmore’s iconic sayings is, “there is no best before date.”
Brawdy will be lacing up to race again on May 25, at the Ottawa Race Weekend. There, she will compete against Canada’s top runners, including her coach Elmore.