A 16-year-old from here has posted the fastest time in a 1,000 metre run in Canada.
Mark Patton registered a time of 2:28.40 at a meet on July 8. Athletics Canada has posted it as the fastest run in the one-kilometre class.
Patton, who is a member of the University of Guelph track and field team and student at Centre Wellington District High School, bested the second place runner in the race by around 10 seconds. There were six competitors in the men’s 1,000 meter hosted at the Speed River Twilight Club meet.
“When I crossed the finish line I saw the clock,” Patton said of the result, particularly thanking university coach Jeff Haller. “I couldn’t have done it without my training group in Guelph.”
Haller said, “Mark’s a dedicated athlete and one of the leaders in our training group. He played a lot of soccer when he was younger but in the past couple of years he’s decided to focus on middle distance running.”
He added, “His success as a youth athlete has driven him to set very high goals for himself. He’s constantly looking to those members of the track club that have competed internationally for advice and mentorship.
“Of the 100 or so athletes that have passed through our program in the past several years, Mark has as much focus and drive as any of them.”
Patton joined the track and field club in 2011 and focuses on the 800 meter and 1.5 kilometre runs. His decision on the distances was made because there are few races in the 1,000 metre championship level.
He has posted a time in the 800 metre of 1:54.5 and in the 1.5km of 3:54.09 – both of which he is working on cutting down.
He won the county meet in both divisions in 2012, Haller said.
“He’s won the OFSAA (Ontario high school championship) gold medal in 2012 as a midget and bronze medal in 2013 as a junior,” Haller said.
Patton is continually working to shorten his times through running and strength training each week as well as competitions.
“I like the 1,000,” he said. “I wish they would offer it more.” He said he is prepared to protect his record if another runner challenges it.
“I would have to go for it,” Patton said.
He will be competing in the provincials in early August and the nationals in late August.
