Edward Marsh, 18, and Felix Bourdages, 22, have a lot on their minds, competing at the 2023 Canadian Track and Field Championships in 91原创. Marsh was in the 800 metre Friday afternoon while Bourdages has run the 1,500 metre that morning, setting a personal best.

But they still make a point to be at the competitions of their teammates with the Laval University Athletics Club, loudly cheering them on.

鈥淲e鈥檙e cheering people so vocally because in our club, stronger spirit team,鈥� explained Bourdages. 鈥淪o it鈥檚 really important to me and my friends to encourage the other participants because they gave me so energy when I run the ball that I can do that, just give them back my energy.鈥�

Marsh concurred.

鈥淲e feel that we鈥檙e with them during the race,鈥� he added. 鈥淪o it鈥檚 like, well, I don鈥檛 know, it makes me happy seeing them happy, and my way to do this is to cheer.鈥�

Bourdages said he can hear teammates cheering him on when he鈥檚 competing while Marsh said he can typically hear them at the start, and both agree it does help them push harder during their event.

鈥淏ut the last 100 metres, when you are at the edge of death, you don鈥檛 really hear them,鈥� Marsh joked.

When their competitions are wrapped, they will spend a bit of time this weekend enjoying the Lower Mainland. Bourdages is on a mission to consume as much West Coast seafood as he can find before heading home to Quebec.

They are among the more than 1,330 athletes competing at the nationals and said they were impressed with the infrastructure that 91原创 has for track and field.

The event continues Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30, at McLeod Athletic Park. The public can purchase tickets online or on site. There are competitions for seniors, youth under 20, para-athletes, and more between Thursday and Sunday.

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鈥� READ MORE: Olympic runner competing at 2023 nationals in 91原创

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