Image credit: CFJC Today/Anthony Corea

By Marty Hastings

NATIONAL CHAMPION

Matonovich of Kamloops wins gold, silver at Canadian championships

Aug 12, 2025 | 7:15 PM

OTTAWA — Raiya Matonovich of the Kamloops Track and Field Club came within a nose of winning two gold medals at the Under-20 Canadian Track and Field Championships earlier this month in Ottawa.

The 18-year-old middle distance runner claimed gold in the 1,500-metre, posting a time of 4:24:29 to edge silver medallist Maya Markowska (4:24:54) of the Burlington Track and Field Club by about two-tenths of a second.

“I talked to my coach after the race and she said that you followed exactly what I wanted you to do,” Matonovich said. “It was all about being patient, sticking with people for the first 1,200 metres of the race and then just kicking it with 300 metres to go. That’s what I did.”

The 800m also featured a breathtaking finish between Matonovich (2:07.37) and Markowska (2:07.34), with the Ontarian coming out on top by a hair.

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“It’s just about learning how to run against great competitors and learning how to get a good finish at the end,” Matonovich said, noting her goal of competing for Canada at the Olympics.

“I’m very proud of myself with how far I’ve come, especially coming off an illness a few years ago. I think the key is just to keep on going and keep working hard and see where it takes me.”

Matonovich has committed to run for the Simon Fraser University Red Leafs and expects to begin her post-secondary career this fall.

The up-and-coming runner was featured last year in The Tattle of Hastings.