The Canadian Mountain Running Championships were held on June 13 in beautiful Canmore, Alberta.
The race was being billed as the most competitive ever in Canadian Mountain Running history. The stacked field included many veteran trail, cross country and mountain runners, as well as a number of newcomers to the mountain running scene.
On the line, as an incentive for top finishes, was selection to represent Canada at the inaugural IAAF World Mountain Running Championships, NACAC Mountain Running Championships and the Commonwealth Games Mountain Running Championships.
All the prerace hype did not disappoint as the newbies shone on the day. Long time Canadian steeplechase, cross country and road racing champion Joel Bourgeois of Moncton, New Brunswick took the men’s title in his first attempt at Mountain Running. Bourgeois was followed by former national team cross country runner Taylor Murphy of Napanee, Ontario and Chris Swanson of Victoria, British Columbia.
The depth of competition in the men’s race was evident by the fact that veteran mountain running team members Jason Loutitt, Adrian Lambert and Adam Campbell finished in fourth, eighth and ninth position.
The women’s race was no less exciting as Amy Golumbia of Calgary, Alberta took the women’s title, followed by Brooke Gosling of Canmore, Alberta and Jessalyn O’Donnell of Vancouver, British Columbia. Former national mountain running team member Magi Scallion finished just out of the top three in fourth place.
The top three finishers in each race will be offered spots on the national team. Hopefully, all will accept their invitations as it will be great to see how this new crop of Canadian mountain runners perform on the international stage.
Thanks for this report. You’re right; I knew the people who did not finish in the top 3 but never heard of those who did – new faces is good. I’ve raced the Canmore course; it’s fun to run on the former Olympic Biathlon course.