Two Runners at CFB Winnipeg win big at 2024 Canadian Masters Athletic Indoor Championships and are selected to attend International Competitions later in 2024

Two Runners at CFB Winnipeg win big at 2024 Canadian Masters Athletic Indoor Championships and are selected to attend International Competitions later in 2024

For Maj Claude Faucher and LCol John Coffin running is simply a part of their lifestyle. It’s something they do for the love of the sport and both are very good at it. Both returned from the 2024 Canadian Masters Athletic Indoor Championships 17-18 February in Montreal with more medals for their trophy cases.

Competing in the Male 55-59 category Maj Faucher came first in the 800 meters with a time of 2:17:57 and second in the 400 meters with a time of 1:00:37. Both times were seasonal personal bests. His next goal is to compete at the World Masters Athletics Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden 13-25 Aug 2024

LCol Coffin, competing in the M-40 age category placed first in the 1500 meters with a time of 4:25:55, and third in the 800 meters with a time of 2:08:28. Both times were personal bests. He has been selected to compete at the next Half-Marathon CISM championship 24-27 May 2024 in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Maj Faucher, the Lessons Learned Officer at 17 Wing Winnipeg, says he has been running competitively for 46 years at a variety of distances. He makes his own training plan and runs alone.

“The CMA Championship in Montreal was my focus for this year’s indoor season. By winning the 800 m – my best and favorite distance – it gives me confidence that my training plan works very well for me.

I recently added 400 m-specific training sessions in my plan, so that I could maintain my speed as I age. Finishing second on the 400 m despite my lack of experienced in that distance was very encouraging. As I was able to race all winter without getting injured, I can now start my preparations for the outdoor season and the World Master Athletics Championships in Gothenburg.”

At Gothenburg, he will be running the 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, and 1500 m .

LCol Coffin, on French language training at the 17 Wing Language Centre, at 42 says he has been running for decades and is still speeding up at all distances. During the winter months he runs with Tough Track at the University of Manitoba indoor track but during the road racing seasons relies on his wife Carolyn as his coach. Like many competitive runners most of his training is done alone.

“I have participated in many CAF National Running Championships over the years and as a way to give back to the community became the CAF Chief Official for Running almost four years ago. After attempting to make the CISM Running team many times, I competed with the team for first time in Switzerland in October 2023 during the First Inaugural CISM Half Marathon.

I have been asked to join the CISM Running Team again to compete in Sarajevo at the end of May 2024 for the 2nd Half Marathon and I will be joining them.”

When asked what the wins at the CMA Championship in Montreal meant to them both men said such competitions are a great way to race against the national competition and work towards bettering their times. The medals they brought home are icing on the cake.

Both are honored to represent the CAF on the international stage.

“These international events truly embody the CISM motto ''Friendship through Sport'' as athletes from all across the globe come together in friendly competition,’’ said LCol Coffin.

Cutlines:

LCol John Coffin and Maj Claude Faucher show off the medals they received at the 2024 Canadian Masters Athletic Indoor Championships in Montreal 17-18 February 2024.