Running News Daily

Canadian distance running witnessed a significant milestone on February 14, 2026, when Boise State University standout Kaiya Robertson delivered a historic performance at the Husky Classic in Seattle.

Competing in the women’s invitational mile, Robertson surged to a second-place finish in 4:24.51, setting a new all-conditions Canadian U23 record. The performance took more than four seconds off her previous national mark of 4:28.93, which she had set just weeks earlier at Mile City—also in Seattle.

The improvement underscores not just consistency, but rapid progression at the highest collegiate level. 

Breaking a Decade-Old Standard

Before Robertson’s breakthrough, the Canadian U23 mile record of 4:29.07 had stood for 10 years. It was jointly held by two-time Olympian Gabriela DeBues-Stafford, one of Canada’s most accomplished middle-distance athletes.

To lower that mark by such a decisive margin represents more than a seasonal best — it signals a shift in generational standards.

Robertson’s 4:24.51 now stands as:

The Canadian U23 all-conditions mile record

A Boise State program record

A Mountain West Conference record

Few athletes manage to rewrite national, conference, and school history in a single race.

A Season Gaining Momentum

The Husky Classic, traditionally one of the fastest indoor meets in North America, once again provided the stage for elite-level performances. Seattle’s banked track and deep invitational fields often produce breakthrough times, and Robertson seized the opportunity.

Her performance continues a strong 2026 indoor campaign and places her firmly among the top NCAA middle-distance contenders heading into championship season.

More importantly, it establishes her as one of Canada’s most promising young distance talents — an athlete not merely following in Olympic footsteps, but carving out her own trajectory.

At just U23 level, Robertson has already demonstrated the capacity for dramatic improvement within a single season. If her current trajectory continues, the next milestones may not be age-group records — but national senior standards and global championship qualifications.