Capital XC Challenge starts today!
Over 400 athletes go to the start line in the first ever High School Capital XC Challenge Division of the new Capital XC Challenge Weekend today on Friday. Races begin at 1:30pm at Mooney’s Bay Park.
This event is a new 2 day initiative between the host Ottawa Lions Track & Field Club, Run Ottawa and the Running Room retail sport chain to grow the sport of cross country running. Schools as far away as Timmins will be here to challenge for the prizes.
Saturday will see a late morning (10:30am) full of elementary school races to be followed by the revitalized Jim Howe Memorial Race Event in the afternoon (3pm Start).
The successful elementary race division has been going on for 6 years now as the Eastern Ontario Open Elementary Schools X-Country Championships and will see a record participation level set this year. With +500 registered, entries will still be open until 1 hour before the start on Saturday.
The Jim Howe Race is for open age athletes and will be run in coed 6km edition this year. With an expectation of over 150 athletes, it is intended for participation by open ages, community, endurance groups and teams along with college and university aged athletes. The local universities of both Ottawa and Carleton will be in full swing at this event.