Canada’s best cross country runners will be navigating the trails of London, Ontario for the first time this November 30 and December 1, as the 2024 Canadian Cross Country Championships descend on the Forest City.
Athletics Canada has partnered with Tourism London, the London Western Track & Field Club and the City of London to host the event in London this year and next.
ACXC, as the event is known, will attract more than 1,300 athletes (from U16 to Masters), as well as coaches and officials, and showcases the very best of Canada’s elite runners who compete for the title of national champion.
The race course at Fanshawe Golf Course is predominately grass surface and designed to provide competitors with a rolling terrain that will be challenging, yet also very spectator friendly.
“The London Western Track and Field Club is excited to welcome the country to the beautiful, rolling terrain at the Fanshawe Golf Course,” said London Western TFC Club Manager Scott MacDonald. “Most racers will stick to 2 km loops, with the Seniors including an add-on to keep them to 4 loops of 2.5 km. We also plan to add a few hay bales along the course to keep it interesting in the flatter sections. A terrific spectator course with a great view from the top of the main hill section, athletes, coaches, family and friends will all enjoy the festival atmosphere we plan to bring to the weekend.”
The Championships will take place over a two-day schedule. This year’s event will include U16, U18, U20, and Senior national championship races, along with Canadian Masters Association national championships, a Community race and a 1K Kids race.
This will be the first time U16 divisions have been included, necessitating the new two-day format. It will also be the first time these Championships have featured gender parity for the distances contested:
- U16 Boys & Girls - 4km
- U18 Boys & Girls - 6km
- U20 Men & Women - 8km
- Senior Men & Women - 10km
The event will also feature a pilot for a U18 4x2km Mixed Relay Race for the first time ever on the Sunday. U16 and U18 athletes will be able to double back on from their individual races on the Saturday to represent their club, Province or Territory.
“With the addition of the U16 races, we proposed the idea of a weekend of racing to allow enough daylight and everyone seems to love the idea,” MacDonald said. “It has even allowed us to include a 4 x 2 km Mixed relay for U18 teams on the second day which should be great fun!”
Organizers haven’t forgotten the fan experience, extending their planning beyond the course with an entertainment plan for everyone on site.
“The athletes and coaches will love the race course itself, but with a main stage including music surrounded by other activities, we hope to also engage the community by bringing a festival atmosphere to an already exciting weekend of racing,” MacDonald said.
Race The Best
The field is always stacked with top-flight middle distance runners, as well as cross country specialists.
Last year’s event in Ottawa saw five members of the 2024 Olympic team compete: men’s and women’s senior champions Kieran Lumb and Ceili McCabe, plus teammates Charles Philibert-Thiboutot, Thomas Fafard, and Malindi Elmore.
Join the Field
Details about registration for athletes and coaches, accommodations, and accreditation will be published shortly. Stay tuned for an announcement on Athletics Canada social media channels.
You can already access information on the event schedule, eligibility, technical notes, awards and more on our ACXC24 Event page. Bookmark it today and follow all the updates between now and race day!
Watch From Home
Not a cross country runner? The 2024 Canadian Cross Country Championships will be broadcast live from London, Ontario on Saturday, November 30, and Sunday, December 1 via AthleticsCanada.tv. The live webcast and on demand videos will only be available for RunnerSpace +PLUS subscribers. Sign up here.