Stories from Tri-City News headlines of decades past is a recurring feature as the publication marks its 40th anniversary in 2024.
The stars were out at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Stadium for the 1993 Harry Jerome Track Classic.
Among the track and field luminaries stepping into starting blocks in front of 3,700 spectators were U.S. Olympians Carl Lewis, Mike Marsh and Leroy Burrell, along with Canadian middle distance runner Angela Chalmers.
Lewis, who was running the anchor leg for the Santa Monica Track Club’s entry in the 4x100-metre relay race, was the prime attraction.
A year after he was the linchpin for a world record time in the same event at the 1992 Olympic Summer Games in Barcelona — and only months after his ignominious debut as a national anthem singer at an NBA basketball game in New Jersey — Lewis was swarmed by young fans and autograph seekers after the event.
“I can’t believe the way he runs. He’s amazing to watch,” said one.
“I wish I could run that fast,” said another.
The bright glare of the relay rockets almost overshadowed a notable performance by Port Moody’s Sara Howell, who outran Chalmers and Canadian Olympian Leah Pells to win the women’s 1,500-metre race.
“That’s the first time I’ve beaten Angela, but I know she’s going to be back,” Howell said after the race that she ran in 4:10.9, fast enough to qualify for the World Student Games later in the summer, but just shy of the speed she’d need to get into the World Championships in Germany in the fall.
But she’d get another chance to meet that mark in July, when Town Centre Stadium hosted the Canadian National championships.
The Tri-City News has covered civic affairs, local crime, festivals, events, personalities, sports and arts in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody since 1983. Bound back issues of the paper are available at the Coquitlam Archives, while digital versions of several past years can be found at issuu.com.
