Rob Watson

Robin "Rob" Watson (born 23 June 1983) is a Canadian long-distance runner. He is a two-time Canadian national champion in the 3000 metres steeplechase. He has won the Canadian Marathon Championships, the Canadian 10k Championships (twice) and placed 2nd in the Canadian Cross Country Championships.

Career

The fourth of five boys. Robin Watson grew up in the Old South neighbourhood in London, Ontario. His parents were recreational runners; his mother ran track, his father marathons. His oldest brother Pete has been his greatest influence. Wanting to run like him, Watson entered a 10k race with him at age six. His endurance, and help from his brother, made him a top steeplechaser by the end of high school. He accepted a scholarship at West Virginia University where his brother Pete attended running in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). After a year that saw WVU cutting its track program, Watson followed his brother to Colorado and began running track and cross- country for coach Bryan Berryhill at Colorado State University.

He got a call from coach Dave Scott-Thomas, and on graduating moved to Guelph, Ontario, to train for the 2009 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) world championships in Berlin. After a disappointing finish, Watson and his coach discussed him running the marathon. After struggling for success, Watson turned to his brother Pete who was coaching in North Carolina.

Profile

Discipline Performance Location Date Marathon Outdoor 2:27:38 Vancouver, CAN 6 May 2018 10 Kilometres 30:01* Vancouver, CAN 22 April 2018 5 Kilometres 14:41 Vancouver, CAN 17 Mar 2018 Half Marathon Outdoor :08:44 Victoria, CAN 8 October 2017 Marathon Outdoor 2:18:45 London, GBR 24 April 2016 10 Miles Road 52:35 Edinburgh, GBR 17 April 2016 Half Marathon Outdoor 1:03.58 Houston, TX, USA 17 January 2016 8 Kilometres Outdoor 23:47 Saanichton, CAN 10 January 2016 10 Miles Road 49:07 Hamilton, CAN 26 December 2015 Marathon Outdoor 2:16:38 Chicago, IL, USA 11 October 2015 Half Marathon Outdoor 1:04:48 Vancouver, CAN 3 May 2015 10,000 Metres 29:27.66 Charlottesville, VA, USA 18 April 2015 10 Miles Road 49:02 Hamilton, CAN 26 December 2014 Marathon Outdoor 2:16:38 Ottawa, CAN 25 May 2014 Half Marathon 1:05:03 Tempe, AZ, USA 19 January 2014 Marathon Outdoor 2:13.29 Toronto, CAN 20 October 2013 10 Kilometres Outdoor 30:46 Toronto, CAN 21 September 2013 10 Miles Road 49:49 Lynchburg, VA, USA 28 September 2003 Half Marathon Outdoor 1:03:22 New York, NY, USA 17 March 2013 10 Kilometres Outdoor 30:36 Toronto, CAN 22 September 2012 10 Kilometres Outdoor 30:24 Toronto, CAN 24 September 2011 Marathon Outdoor 2:13:37 Rotterdam, NED 15 April 2012 Half Marathon Outdoor 1:04:20 Vancouver, CAN 26 June 2011 Marathon Outdoor 2:16:17 Houston, TX, USA 30 January 2011 10 Miles Road 48:39 Hamilton, CAN 26 December 2010 10 Kilometres Outdoor 30:03 Toronto, CAN 16 October 2010 One Mile 4:07.26 Guelph, CAN 5 June 2010 3000 Metres 8:11.12 London, CAN 2 June 2010 3000 Metres Steeplechase Outdoor 8:39.30 Palo Alto, CA, USA 1 May 2010 2000 Metres Steeplechase Outdoor 5:44.14 Ypsilanti, USA 16 April 2010 5000 Metres Outdoors 14:06.84 Berkeley, CA, USA 23 April 2010 2000 Metres Steeplechase 5:44.14 Ypsilanti, USA 16 April 2010 5 Kilometres Outdoors 14:41 Vancouver, CAN 17 March 2010 3000 Metres Steeplechase Outdoor 8:27.09 Eugene, OR, USA 7 June 2009 1500 Metres 3:46.55 Windsor, CAN 16 May 2009 5000 Metres Outdoors 13:40.33 Walnut, USA 17 Apr 2009 1500 Metres 3:47.95 Brasschaat (BEL) 23 JUL 2008 3000 Metres Steeplechase Outdoor 8:38.72 Walnut, CA, USA 18 April 2008 5000 Metres Outdoors 14:22.36 San Diego, CA, USA 12 May 2007 3000 Metres Steeplechase Outdoor 8:38.92 Eugene, OR, USA 20 April 2007 3000 Metres 8:13.97 Tempe, AZ, USA 14 April 2007 5000 Metres Indoor 15:00:10 Albuquerque, NM, USA 23 February 2007 3000 Metres Indoor 8:18.70 Lincoln, NE, USA 20 January 2007 3000 Metres Steeplechase Outdoor 8:47.96 Palo Alto, CA, USA 31 March 2006 5000 Metres 14:44.83 Albuquerque, NM, USA 24 February 2006 3000 Metres Indoor 8:13.21 Nampa, ID, USA 11 February 2006 3000 Metres Steeplechase Outdoor 9:02.73 Berkeley, CA, USA 8 April 2005 3000 Metres Steeplechase Outdoor 9:07.42 Princeton, NJ, USA 8 April 2005 3000 Metres Indoor 8:30.78 Fayetteville, AR, USA 12 February 2005

Legend:

Not Legal