Vernon, B.C. to host the inaugural Canadian Mountain and Trail Running Championships

Attention all Canadian trail runners: Athletics Canada has announced that there will be a new trail running championship coming to Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park in Vernon, B.C. on Sept. 17. The Canadian Mountain and Trail Running Championships will comprise five championship races: three in mountain running (senior classic up and down, U20 classic up and down and the vertical uphill) and two in trail running (a 40 km short course and 80 km long course). The event will serve as the selection trials for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Austria in June 2023.

The Canadian Mountain Running and Trail Running championships used to be held separately, but now will be held with the collaboration of Athletics Canada, the Canadian Mountain Running Association (CMRA) and the Association of Canadian Ultramarathoners (ACU).

Vernon, B.C. to host first-ever joint Canadian Mountain and Trail Running Championships, in September 2022.

DETAILS: https://t.co/IG5ZzHYPfb pic.twitter.com/6g6vCVb23W

— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) June 14, 2022

Athletics Canada CEO Mathieu Gentes said in a press release, “It’s a priority for Athletics Canada to provide representation for participants in all disciplines of our great sport.”

Each championship race will offer a prize purse of $300 for first, $200 for second and $100 for third. The championship races are open to all adult runners over the age of 18.

The city of Vernon was chosen as the first host due to its infrastructure, tough course and trail scene. The course at Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park is described as ‘tough’, ‘challenging’ and ‘scenic’, with no paved roads and 95 per cent single track.

You can learn more about the event here. Registration is now open.