Nova Scotian Olympian looking forward to Aileen Meagher competition

Next Tuesday, runners from all over the world will lace up their sneakers and dash to the finish at the Aileen Meagher International Track Classic at Saint Mary’s University.

Nova Scotian Olympian Geoff Harris will be racing in his 10th Aileen Meagher competition in 11 years, specializing in the 800-metre race, the event is the second stop on the National Track League circuit.

Harris told News 95.7 the competition gives Canadian runners the opportunity to showcase their skills.

“Canada is one of the first countries to put together a series of races that allows Canadian athletes to be the highlights of the meets, and they bring in international field around them,” he said.

He said there’s a lot going on while runners sprint to the finish line.

“We stay in our lane for the first 100-metres, then we come in on each other and all run from lane one,” he said. “We’re moving and jostling, there’s lots of contact, there’s lots of little jabs and talking.”

In his 10-years racing in this competition, he’s only won once, Harris said it’s because of how good the field of competitors have been at the event.

When Harris made it to the semi-finals at 2012 London Games, that experience he said, featured the cream of the crop.

“The field of the 800-metres in London was the best it’s ever been in history, the final went out in a world record” he said.

The Nova Scotian record holder is hoping to progress his skills, crack the Olympic team again and make it to the finals at next year’s games in Rio.

As for his expectations at next week’s Aileen Meagher competition, Harris said if weather conditions are good, there could be some records set.

In addition to Harris, 2012 Olympian Jeanna Martin-Evans of Bridgewater and 2008 Olympian Adrienne Power of Halifax will also be competing.

The Aileen Meagher Track Classic starts at 6 p.m. on June 2nd at Huskies Stadium.