The Canadian Cross Country Championships are coming to London two years in a row.
Athletics Canada announced Tuesday that the national championships will be hosted in the city in 2024 and 2025. The event, hosted in partnership with London Western Track & Field Club, will be held both years at the Fanshawe Golf Course.
"London has a long history with Athletics and a stellar reputation for hosting first-class events," said Athletics Canada CEO Mathieu Gentès. "In addition to the city’s experience in the technical parts of hosting an event like this, the community’s commitment to supporting the athletes, coaches and officials who flock to London every year for sport events is second to none."
The 2024 event is scheduled for November 30, while the 2025 competition is slated for November 29.
The proposed course at the northeast-end golf course has been designed to provide competitors with a rolling, challenging terrain that is predominately on a grass surface. There will be a few small sections that cross over gravel and concrete golf cart paths.
This is not the first time the Fanshawe Golf Course has been used as a race site. It has previously hosted cross country competitions for local high schools and the 2020 Athletics Ontario Western Regional Championships.
This is the first time London has been selected to host the national championships.
"We want to truly make this event a city celebration. That starts with the community race, but also adding a festival atmosphere that will include a stage with live music, food trucks, games, and athlete appearances,” said Scott MacDonald, the manager of the London Western Track & Field Club. “It’s the community involvement in a fun, exciting, and supportive atmosphere that will make these events truly unique.”
