West Vancouver plays host to NACAC mountain running championships

The Canadian men won the team event again this year, defending their title from the 2011 championship in Mexico.

Cypress Mountain will be remembered by many as the site of various skiing and snowboarding events at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Fittingly, it also played host to this year’s North America, Central America and Caribbean mountain running championships.

The weather was typically uncooperative for the event, with high humidity turning the race into a rain drenched affair, leaving the already technical course mucky and the footing challenging. The 11K up and down circuit featured many very steep and difficult climbs, with grades as tough as 40%, as well as some screaming downhills. The few reprieves offered to runners included a single track trail through a forest covered area and an open meadow.

The Canadian men won the team event again this year, defending their title from the 2011 championship in Mexico. The top Canadian finisher was James Gosselin of Timmins, Ont., who placed second overall. Edward McCarthy of Vancouver placed fourth, followed closely by Montreal’s David Le Porho and Victoria’s Kristopher Swanson. Canadian Running Magazine’s contributing editor Alex Hutchinson finished 8th overall.

On the women’s side, the Canadian team placed second behind the Americans. Canada’s top scoring woman was Laura Estey, who placed fourth overall. The team scoring was rounded out by Jessalyn O’Donnell in 6th and Syl Corbett in 7th place.

The championships were organized by 5 Peaks Adventures, which is known for it’s trail races throughout Canada. Next year’s championship will be held at Mount Cranmore in New Hampshire.

The complete race results can be found here.

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