Thirteen years ago, at just 21, Aaron Brown earned his very first trip to the top of the national podium. On Sunday in Ottawa, now 34, he repeated that feat for the 13th time, running in 20.33 seconds to win the men’s 200m title on the final day of the 2026 Canadian Track & Field Championships.
The Father’s Day victory carried extra meaning for Brown, who called it special to celebrate the win with family, including his wife, their two children and his parents.
The gold marked Brown’s second medal of the weekend after he took silver behind Andre De Grasse in Friday’s 100m final. “Running in front of the Canadian fans never gets old,” he told Canadian Running.
Aaron Brown holds off Eliezer Adjibi to win the 200m at the Athletics Canada 2026 Bell Trials Canadian Track and Field Championships. Photo: Sean Burges/Mundo Sport Images
Eliezer Adjibi improved on last year’s bronze to claim silver in 20.37, also securing his second medal of the weekend (he took bronze in the 100m). Brendon Rodney rounded out the podium in 20.60.
13 golds over 8 national championships
Brown claimed his first Canadian crown in the 100m at the 2013 championships in Moncton, N.B., where he ran 10.25.
“That one was special because it was my first–and you never forget your first,” he said. “I was like a little kid in a candy store when I won that one.”
He continued to dominate on the national stage, sweeping the 100m and 200m titles in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022. Now, Brown finds himself cherishing each championship a little more. “It’s almost like you’re savouring it a bit more because, when you’re 34, you don’t know how many more you’re going to have,” he said.
Brown is slated to represent Team Canada at next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. “I feel like I’m ready to do something special, if I can just execute the way I need to.”
Leduc extends undefeated streak
In the women’s 200m final, Gatineau, Que.’s Audrey Leduc pulled off the sprint double for the third straight year, cruising smoothly to the win in a championship record of 22.38 seconds. The victory means she’s gone undefeated in both the Canadian 100m and 200m dating back to 2024.
Audrey Leduc wins the 200m at the Athletics Canada 2026 Bell Trials Canadian Track and Field Championships. Photo: Sean Burges/Mundo Sport Images
Marie-Éloïse Leclair secured the silver medal in 22.87 while Alyssa Marsh grabbed bronze in 22.95.
See here for full results from the 2026 Canadian Track & Field Championships.