NACAC Championships begin Friday in Toronto...

paulmerca.blogspot.com is on the road this weekend for the North American Central American & Carribean (NACAC) track & field championships at Varsity Stadium on the campus of the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario.

By the time I land in Toronto, one event involving a Washington affiliated athlete will be completed, as race walker Katie Burnett from Bellevue will contest the 20k walk at Toronto Island.

This afternoon, Washington alum Mel Lawrence will run in the finals of the women’s 3000 steeplechase at 7:25 pm local time (4:25 pm in Seattle), while former Renton resident Devon Allen will run in the semis of the 110 hurdles at 8:15 pm local time (5:15 pm in Seattle). 

Before Allen’s race, former University of Washington volunteer assistant coach and Idaho alum Christie (Gordon) Moerman runs in the semis of the women’s 100 hurdles at 8:00 pm (5:00 pm in Seattle).

Toronto skyline (photo courtesy seetorontonow.com)

Other athletes with Washington ties competing in Toronto this weekend include University of Washington grad Izaic Yorks (1500m); Emerald Ridge HS standout Hassan Mead (5000m); Pullman resident Katie Nageotte (pole vault); and Western Washington alum Bethany Drake (javelin).

While the fields in many of the events are quite frankly small for a meet of this stature, it is a good opportunity for athletes to get in a competition before heading back to Europe for the second half of the European season, as we are in the time frame for regional championships (the European Championships are being contested this week in Berlin; the African Championships concluded a few days ago).

Through the athleticscanada.tv portal, media partner RunnerSpace.com will have live streaming coverage ($) of the NACAC championships.

The start lists and live results for the NACAC Championships are available here, while the time schedule is available here.

NOTE:  USA Track & Field and Athletics Canada contributed to this report.