Julie-Anne Staehli continued her dominance of the Canadian 5K Championships on Saturday, winning her fourth consecutive national title at the Marathon Beneva de Montréal in 15:49.
Staehli, who is from Lucknow, Ont., held off Makenna Fitzgerald, of Cochrane, Alta., who finished two seconds behind, in 15:51, while Siona Chisholm completed the women’s podium in 15:59. Staehli’s latest victory adds to a career that includes representing Canada in the 5,000 metres at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Men’s win determined by a fraction of a second
The men’s race was even closer, with Quebec’s Matthew Beaudet and Jean-Simon Desgagnés both officially listed at 14:18. Beaudet was awarded the national title, with Desgagnés second and Liam Donnelly third, in 14:20. Beaudet came into the championships after a strong spring on the roads and track. In May, he ran 13:49 to win the 5K La Clinique du Coureur road race in Lac-Beauport, Que., before recording a 5,000-metre personal best of 13:32.24 on the track in Brussels later that month.
Desgagnés brought international experience to the start line. The steeplechaser represented Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympics and finished eighth in the 3,000-metre steeplechase at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. He also won gold in the event at the 2023 Pan American Games. In May 2026, he finished second behind fellow Canadian Thomas Fafard at La Clinique du Coureur’s 5K, running 13:34.
Canadian steeplechaser turns Olympic journey into documentary
The championships were held alongside the sold-out Sports Experts 5K, which also hosted the Canadian 5K Age Group (Masters) Championships for runners aged 35 and older.
(from left) Matthew Beaudet and Jean-Simon Desgagnés cross the finishing line at the 2026 Canadian 5K Championships in Montreal. Photo: Marathon Beneva de Montreal
A fast start to Montréal marathon weekend
The national championships were a highlight of the opening days of the Marathon Beneva de Montreal, which began Friday with a mile race. Calgary’s Aaron Ahl won the mile in 4:10, edging American Andy Wacker by one second. Robin Lefebvre and Samuel Hepworth finished third and fourth, respectively, both clocking 4:14.
Ahl arrived in Montreal after a standout indoor season. In February, he ran 3:51.33 for the indoor mile in Boston, setting a Canadian record, and went on to represent Canada in the 1,500 metres at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland in March.
For full results from the Montreal Marathon head over here.