XC: Alberta set to host CW Cross Country Championships

Oct. 25, 2024 - For the first time in half a century, the best runners in western Canada are headed to northern Alberta.

49 years after hosting the event for the first time, the University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas are set to host the 2024 Canada West Cross Country Championships this Saturday in Camrose, Alberta.

The 8km races will take place at the scenic Stoney Creek Park, with racers completing two laps of a rugged 4km loop with multiple uphill and downhill sections. Racers will be in for a challenge at a track that is no stranger to hosting championship level events, including hosting a 2023 Stewart Cup race last fall and the 2021 ACAC Championship.

The only other time the University of Alberta hosted the CW XC Championship was in 1975 at Mayfair Park, now known as Hawrelak Park.

Saturday's race brings together nine Canada West programs, with runners from Regina, Calgary, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, UBC, UBC Okanagan, Trinity Western and Victoria joining the host Golden Bears and Pandas.

UBC enters as defending men's and women's team champions, having swept the podium at the 2023 CW Championships in Kelowna.

This year's women's event will feature three of the top 10 ranked teams in the nation, with No. 2 Victoria and No. 3 UBC promising to battle neck-and-neck for a conference title.

No. 9 UBCO will also be looking for a strong showing ahead of hosting the U SPORTS Cross Country Championships later in November. The Heat will be led by Lauren McNeil, who has made an impactful return to the CW running scene. McNeil previously captured a Canada West and U SPORTS silver medal in 2021 as an exchange student, and is coming off an impressive Stewart Cup victory earlier in October.

Meanwhile, the host Pandas are aiming for their first top three finish since 2017. Fourth year runner Olivia Hopkins was Alberta's top performer at the Stewart Cup.

On the men's side, No. 4 Victoria enters as the top nationally ranked CW side, followed by No. 7 UBC.

The Golden Bears will look to use home course advantage in their pursuit of the podium. The hosts will be led by fourth year runner Ron MacLean, who won the Stewart Cup in Calgary two weeks ago. He looks for a return to the conference podium after placing second at the 2022 Canada West Championship.

Racers will be looking to qualify for the 2024 U SPORTS Cross Country Championships, which will be hosted by UBC Okanagan at Mission Recreation Park in Kelowna on Saturday, Nov. 9.

VIEW the CW Cross Country Championships homepage.

VIEW CW Cross Country Championships live results.

2024 CW Cross Country Championships Event Schedule

Saturday, October 26

All events at Stoney Creek Park, Camrose, Alta.

10 a.m. - Community 4km Race

Noon - Men’s 8km Race

1 p.m. - Women’s 8km Race

2 p.m. - Awards (immediately following competition)