Canada’s track and field team added three more medals on the final day of competition at the Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico bringing the tally to 16 (8 silver and 8 bronze). The tally matches Canada’s best medal haul at these Games; Canada also won 16 medals at the 2007 Parapan American Games.
Day five of competition featured a number of great performances, notably Shayne Dobson of Campbellton, N.B., won the silver medal in the men’s T37 classification 1500-metres. Dobson shaved an amazing ten seconds off his personal best time of 5:04.77 to finish the race in 4:53.81. “It was a weird race, first half was really slow”. Dobson adds, “I’m still happy with the result it’s a great experience and I’m proud of it”.
Alister McQueen of Calgary, Alta., won bronze in the men’s T44 200-metres final in a new Canadian record time of 24.24 seconds. “It’s another PB and Canadian record, so I’m happy but I wish the race would have gone a little bit better but what can I say; it’s a great end to a great Games!” McQueen also broke the 100-metres Canadian record this week. Jackie Marciano of Halifax, N.S., and Richard Ball of Orillia, Ont., also competed in the 200-metres final. Marciano’s time of 25.61 seconds was a new personal best and good enough for fourth place, Ball also raced to a new personal best of 26.32 seconds finishing sixth overall.
In the men’s visually impaired T11 5000-metres final Jason Dunkerley of Ottawa, Ont., won bronze alongside guide runners Cody Boast of Ottawa, Ont., and Simon Hodge of Toronto, Ont., in a time of 16:47.50. “Tough race for sure” exclaimed Dunkerley. “We were competing with the Mexican guys and it was back and forth, we just pushed hard and kept going”. Dunkerley adds “I appreciate the help from both Cody and Simon”. Jason’s principle guide Joshua Karanja of Ottawa, Ont., was not able to compete due to injury.
Sarah White of Montreal, Que., finished fourth in the women’s T53 400m final in a time of 1:10.85. In the men’s T54 200-metres final Isaiah Christophe of Brampton, Ont., stopped the clock in a time of 27.87 good enough for a seventh place finish.
Canadian medalists in athletics
Medal Name Event Hometown
Silver Jason Dunkerley & Cody Boast T11 1500m Ottawa, Ont.
Ottawa, Ont.
Silver Shayne Dobson T37 1500m Campbellton, N.B.
Silver Virginia McLachlan T35 100m Windsor, Ont.
Silver Virginia McLachlan T35 100m Windsor, Ont.
Silver Kevin Strybosch F37 Discus London, Ont.
Silver Sarah White T53 100m Montreal, Que.
Silver Kyle Whitehouse T38 100m Ste-Catherines, Ont.
Silver Kyle Whitehouse T38 200m Ste-Catherines, Ont.
Bronze Christy Campbell T30 100m Kitchener, Ont.
Bronze Isaiah Christophe T54 100m Brampton, Ont.
Bronze Shayne Dobson T37 800m Campbellton, N.B.
Bronze Braedon Dolfo T13 100m Langley, B.C.
Bronze Jason Dunkerley, Cody Boast & Simon Hodge T11 5000m Ottawa, Ont. Ottawa, Ont. Ottawa, Ont.
Bronze Jackie Marciano T44 400m Halifax, N.S.
Bronze Alister McQueen T44 200m Calgary, Alta.
Bronze Alister McQueen F44 Javelin Calgary, Alta.

For the complete results and daily re-caps visit http://www.athletics.ca/page.asp?id=536
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Robyn Woods
Assistant, Communications and Events
Athletics Canada
(613) 260-5580 x.3334