Last Tuesday, Run to Empower announced the elite field for Ottawa’s Fastest Women 5K, set to take place on Saturday, May 2. A world-class group of distance runners will hit the start line for one of Canada’s fastest 5K races, which was created to support the advancement of women’s running in Canada. Race day combines an inclusive 5K for all athletes, a Little Warriors Kids 1K, and a women-only performance with a deep elite field, kicking off Saturday at 9 a.m. in the nation’s capital.
The three podium finishers from last year are returning: Olympian Julie-Anne Staehli of Lucknow, Ont., set the course record last year, running 15:50 on her way to winning. 2016 Olympian Erin Teschuk of Winnipeg, last year’s runner-up, enters the race with a 5K road personal best of 15:58. Eliyah Brawdy of Smithers, B.C., lowered her PB to 16:20 en route to a third-place finish in 2025.
Run to Empower
The race was formerly named after the late Canadian 5K record holder Émilie Mondor, who died tragically in 2006. Her mark of 15:16 has stood since 2004. Run to Empower calls this event a chance to celebrate women’s running and inspire the next generation of runners by showcasing empowered role models.
Anyone who breaks Mondor’s longstanding national record receives a $2,000 bonus, while any racers who break the course record of 15:50, set by Staehli last year, will be rewarded $500.
Canada’s fastest women
Staehli, Teschuk and Brawdy will headline a fast field, but there are a few others to keep your eye on.
Erin Teschuk competing at the 2024 Trials of Miles Racing Track Night at Icahn Photo: Kevin Morris
14-year-old running prodigy Sawyer Nicholson of Stouffville, Ont., is making her first road-race appearance of the season on Saturday. She holds a 5K PB of 16:47, 27 seconds off Brawdy’s third-place finishing time last year. Nicholson is coming off a successful 2025 cross-country season in which she delivered on high expectations, remaining undefeated and winning OFSAA. She is the youngest athlete to start in the elite field, and this will be a great opportunity to see how she lines up against the pros.
Sawyer Nicholson at OFSAA 2025. Photo: Justyn White (@ysight)
Another athlete to keep your eyes on is Sevanne Ghazarian of Cambridge, Ont., who has been quietly landing on podiums all year. Ghazarian returned to the pro scene after some time off, beating a strong elite field at the Vancouver First Half in February, placing third in her half-marathon debut. She also owns a 16:22 5K PB and placed second in the Toronto Under Armour 10K on April 18, running 33:05. Saturday features some of the best distance runners in the country and will be a good test for Ghazarian.
Canadian start list:
1. Julie-Anne Staehli of Lucknow, Ont.
2. Erin Teschuk of Winnipeg
3. Sadie-Jane Hickson of Oakwood, Ont.
4. Erin Mawhinney of Hamilton
5. Eliyah Brawdy of Smithers, B.C.
6. Sevanne Ghazarian of Cambridge, Ont.
7. Courtney Hufsmith of Saskatoon
8. Maria Linton of Cobourg, Ont.
9. Hannah Goodjohn of Mount Albert, Ont.
10. Sawyer Nicholson of Stouffville, Ont.
11. Alexandra McDougall, of Port Perry, Ont.
International start list:
1. Roisin Flanagan of Ireland
2. Eilish Flanagan of Ireland
3. Kaleigh Kane of the US