18-year-old Rudy Saal of Pembroke (far right) on the podium after a bronze medal finish in the 8km race with a time of 26:41. Photo submitted.
It’s a major accomplishment for a local athlete.
Athletics Canada sent four teams with 22 runners to Serra, Brazil to compete in the 2022 Pan American Cross-Country Cup on March 27th, 2022.
Among the athletes who competed in the international cross country race was Pembroke runner Rudy Saal, who won the individual bronze medal and team gold.
Saal of Pembroke, Ontario, led Canada’s U20 men’s team to their first team title since 2018.
According to Athletics Canada, the runner for Les Coureurs de Bois finished third overall in the 8km race with a time of 26:41.
The 18-year-old competed in the U20 category and was coached by Félix-Antoine Lapointe.
Saal is currently attending Laval University and this was the first ever medal for Les Coureurs de Bois representing Canada at an international cross country race.
Les Coureurs de Bois is the only Track Club in the Ottawa Valley accredited by Athletics Canada.
