Moh Ahmed, who has earned seven Canadian senior titles from track running over 18 years, picked up his first on grass Saturday.
In his long-awaited return to cross-country nationals, Ahmed took over the open men’s 10-kilometre race about two km the finish on a partially snow-covered course and won in 29 minutes 30.4 seconds at Fanshawe Golf Course in London, Ont.
“I was slipping and sliding out there, so you never know [if you’ll maintain a lead]. That’s what makes cross-country different than track, the elements beat you up,” Ahmed told Athletics Canada following his first race at the event since a second-place finish in 2012 at Vancouver’s Jericho Beach Park.
Ahmed and eight others among the top 10 are eligible to be selected by Athletics Canada for the World Athletics Cross-Country Championships on Jan. 10 in Tallahassee, Fla.
Andy Wacker, the early leader on Saturday, was seventh but isn’t eligible as he’s American.
Saturday was the first race for the 34-year-old Ahmed since Sept. 14 when the St. Catharines, Ont., native exited early from the 10,000-metre final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after aggravating a left calf strain.
It was also the first time he completed a race since Aug. 30, 2024 in Rome.
“I was very determined and adamant to finish,” he said. “I didn’t know how my calf was going to hold up [in the minus-5 C temperature] but I think it’s in good shape.
“I didn’t want to underestimate anybody. If I’m the [pre-race] favourite, I don’t get comfortable. You never know. People can have a [career-best] day.”
Moh Ahmed finally gets his first (senior) Canadian XC title with a dub in the open men’s 10k race!<br><br>⏱️ 29:30.4<br><br>
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