Grant Walker isn’t making a prediction on who the favourite is to win the elite races at Sunday’s MacPass Miles on the Macdonald Bridge.
But the event race director is comfortable saying he expects it to be a close finish — for both the men and women.
“It’s probably one of the best fields we’ve had in terms of finishing times,” he said. “I’m certainly expecting a much tighter time for all of the runners.”
On the men’s side, Halifax 800m specialist Geoff Harris will be a runner to watch.
He’s taking on an impressive field that includes last year’s silver medallist Adam Kellar from the University of Windsor and 1500m-runner Logan Burke from the University of Victoria.
Other locals include Dartmouth’s Rich Lehman and Ryan Kros from Dalhousie University.
“I think you’re going to see a bit of battle with Geoff Harris,” Walker said. “What makes Geoff such a great threat is he has the heart and soul to win events.”
The women’s side will see two former champions going head-to-head. They are 2006 and ’09 winner Jess O’Connell of West Virginia University and 2004 champion Avril Ogrodnick.
Nova Scotians in the field include Rebecca Coady and Gina Stewart.
Overall, upwards of 900 racers could lace them up on the bridge in six different competitive groups.
Race times
MacPass Miles lineup
• Registration Opens, 7:30 a.m.
• Open Men, 9:15 a.m.
• Open Women, 9:35 a.m.
• Youth Girls, 9:55 a.m.
• Youth Boys, 10:15 a.m.
• Elite Female, 11 a.m.
• Elite Men, 11:10 a.m.
