2022 Canadian XC Championship changes location for safety reasons

August 11, Athletics Canada announced The 2022 Canadian Cross-Country Championships will be moved to Mooney’s Bay in Ottawa and will not be held at the course held last year at Wesley Clover Parks in Kanata, Ontario. Due to safety issues on the course.

The local organizing committee and Athletics Canada expressed frustration that competitors had to battle through snow, ice and mud as freezing temperatures reached the Canadian capital in late November. After a post-event feedback survey from our athletes, we decided to change the location.

“It was a swamp,” said the athlete, who requested anonymity. “I couldn’t get a foothold and I tore my hamstring as a result.”

“The course was not safe,” said one coach. “There was a huge puddle that turned into a pool from a skating rink.”

Two-time Olympian and Canadian record holder for women’s steeplechase Jeanvieve Lalonde And a steeplechase at the Tokyo Olympics John Gay was the winner of the 2021 Athletics Canada Cross Country Championships.

Mooney’s Bay is located in South Ottawa and is easily accessible from downtown. Athletes run along the Rideau River, across grasslands and along wooded trails. This course is a common setting for Canadian college and high school cross-country competitions held in the fall.

The 2022 Canadian XC Championships will be the largest cross-country event ever held at the park, featuring national championship races for U18, U20, Open and Masters runners.

The championship is scheduled for Saturday, November 26th, and the registration window for the event opens on September 7th.

Find out more about the 2022 Canadian Cross Country Championships here. here.