Five seconds might not seem long for most people, but for athletes like Richmond Olympian racewalker Evan Dunfee, it can mean everything.
Dunfee set a new Canadian record in the 3,000-metre racewalk at the 2025 Harry Jerome Classic track meet on Tuesday, July 15, at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium.
He broke his own and Canadian record of 11 minutes and seven seconds from last year, finishing the race in 11 minutes and 2.07 seconds, despite competing in B.C.'s hot weather.
"Going after my Canadian record was always the goal," said Dunfee.
"My main thought was 'I'm very happy I don't have to do another two-kilometre (race)," he added.
Dunfee finished the first kilometre in three minutes and 36 seconds, a time he explained was a good pace.
"I was feeling good, but it was 30 degrees and I really started to feel the heat after that first kilometre," said Dunfee.
He clocked his second kilometre at three minutes and 41 seconds, well under his record pace, and finished just two seconds shy of breaking the 11-minute mark.
"The best feeling was getting water after the race, as the heat had really kicked my butt," said Dunfee.
"While the heat definitely played a big role (Tuesday), it is also what we expect in Tokyo (in September), so it was a good chance to warm up and get prepared for a race in those conditions.
"Overall, it was so much fun to race locally and have such a fun night of athletics on display here at home."
The new record is Dunfee's fourth Canadian record of the year, following new records in the 10-, 20- and 35-kilometre events.
These results show he is on the right track in his training, he said.
Next week, Dunfee will head to St. Moritz, Switzerland, for five weeks of altitude training.
He will then travel to Japan for the World Championships, where he will be racing in the 20- and 35-kilometre events.
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