The first ever Canadian Mountain and Trail Running Championships take place Saturday, in Vernon, British Columbia.

Approximately 350 athletes will descend on the Okanagan city’s Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park.

Saturday, Sept. 17 will be the first-ever combined mountain and trail running championships, which until now have been separate events.

The event will comprise five championship races, each with a women’s and men’s category: three in mountain running (Senior Classic Up and Down, the U20 Classic Up & Down, and the Vertical Uphill) and two in trail running (40km short course, and 80km long course). 

Each championship race will offer a prize purse of $300, $200, and $100 for first, second, and third-place finishers, respectively, for a total prize purse of $4,800.

“We are so excited – we can’t wait for Canada’s best to touch down right here in Vernon,” said Dawna Jodoin, race director and coach with Bush Babes and Bros Trail Running, the championship’s host organization. The ultrarunning club has organized many events around B.C. over the years, but these championships might be their largest undertaking to date, with 100km of trails to prepare, three massive aid stations to build, and 70 on-course volunteers to coordinate.

Jodoin said the packed start lists make it all worth it.

“We have interest across all events, with many Canadians competing, and also people coming from as far as Texas and even Australia.”

Details are available here>>

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