XC: Victoria set to host CW Cross Country Championships

Oct. 24, 2025 - The fastest runners in the West are headed to the coast.

The top runners from across Canada West will converge in the B.C. capital on Oct. 25, as the University of Victoria hosts the 2025 Canada West Cross Country Championships.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Royal Roads University, the 8km course will wind past the iconic Hatley Castle, a National Historic Site that promises a memorable setting for this year’s pursuit of the podium. 

The Vikes women’s team will look to defend their conference crown on home turf, while the UBC Thunderbirds men's team chase a fifth straight title in their ongoing dynasty run.

Joining the Vikes and Thunderbirds will be competitors from Alberta, Calgary, UBCO, Saskatchewan, Regina and Manitoba.

WXC | Host Vikes eye repeat on home soil

The Vikes ended UBC’s five-year team title streak last season, capturing the championship by seven points with all five scoring runners finishing inside the top 15. Erin Owens and Marisha Thompson return to lead the charge as Victoria looks to go back-to-back.

Based on national rankings, UBC enters as the team to beat. The Thunderbirds sit second in the country, trailing only Western, and captured the team title at the Western Canadian Challenge (WCC) earlier this fall in Calgary, where Mackenzie Campbell placed fourth overall.

Victoria follows closely at third in the national rankings, while UBCO rounds out the ranked CW programs at 10th.

UBCO’s Lauren McNeil headlines the individual field. After earning silver at last year’s CW Championships, she claimed her first U SPORTS individual title later that fall. McNeil has been in top form again this season, storming to victory as the top individual finisher at the WCC.

MXC | T-Birds look to cement dynasty status

The UBC Thunderbirds will be aiming to extend their dominance, having claimed four straight Canada West men’s team championships. Currently ranked eighth nationally, the Thunderbirds are led by Max Filion, who recently took top individual honours at the Western Canadian Challenge.

The Victoria Vikes, ranked fifth in Canada and the highest among CW programs, will look to leverage home-course advantage in pursuit of their first conference title since 2016. Victoria captured the team title at the WCC, led by standout Jaxon Kuchar.

Keep an eye on the Regina Cougars as well, who placed second at the WCC thanks to three top-10 individual performances. Ian Teichler finished third to lead the Cougars, followed by Alec Teichler in seventh and Brett MacLean in ninth.

2025 U SPORTS Cross Country Championships

Racers will look to qualify for the 2025 U SPORTS Cross Country Championships, hosted by Université de Sherbrooke in Sherbrooke, Que. on Nov. 8.

Live Timing and Course Map

View the CW Cross Country Championships homepage for live timing and course map information.

2025 CW Cross Country Championships Event Schedule

Saturday, October 26

Community Races:

10 a.m. - 1km Kids Super Hero Run

10:30 a.m. - 4x2km relay & 8km community run ​ 

Canada West Championships:

Noon - Women's 8km race

1 p.m. - Men's 8km race

2 p.m. - Awards