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The Canadian cross country championships will be held for the first of back-to-back years at Fanshawe Golf Course this weekend.
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The Athletics Canada-partnered event is expected to attract as many as 1,300-plus athletes vying for national titles in the U16s right up to Masters division, along with hundreds of coaches and officials. There will also be a community race and a one-kilometre race for the kids.
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Last year in Ottawa, Vancouverites Kieran Lumb and Ceili McCabe captured the men’s and women’s crowns respectively.
Lumb finished the 10 km course in 29 minutes, 18 seconds while McCabe ran the 10 km in 33:28 before representing Canada at the Paris Olympics.
National steeplechase champ Jean-Simon Desgagnes is in the London field along with last year’s cross-country runner-up Philippe Morneau-Cartier. Connor Black, who has London and area roots, won the 10 km title two years ago at Ottawa and will aim at the top of the podium once again.
Leslie Sexton and Rachel Hannah, second and third at the Canadian marathon championships last month, will challenge in the women’s 10 km race.
The arrival of the event is well-timed with the Western Mustangs women’s team winning their first national university title in 34 years earlier this month and Fanshawe College’s Matt Talbot of Ailsa Craig earning Canadian silver while Falcons head coach Regan Ryter was named national collegiate coach of the year.
Admission and parking is free Saturday and Sunday. The ‘ACXC’ Fan Fest features music, games, on-stage programming, award ceremonies, food trucks and vendors. The Canadian Cross Country Classic 5K presented by BackRoads Brews + Shoes will be run on the championship course and younger runners are encouraged by organizers to try the 1K race.
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