Copyright – 2021 – Athletics Illustrated

The first cross-country race to take place on the campus of the University of Victoria in 30 years happened Saturday at the newly minted Cedar Hill Corner. The university is providing the area of land that may be slated for future development, but for now, it’s a great area for training and racing — Vikes head coach Hilary Stelllingwerff took advantage by hosting the Vikes Cross Country Open.

Four universities from the Canada West division of the USport league took part including the Trinity Western University Spartans, University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat, University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, and the host Vikes.

The women’s race

For UBCO Heat athlete Lauren McNeil it was a case of getting to the front, and building on the lead. She led from gun to tape over the flat and fast three-lap, six-kilometre course. The Buxton, UK native clocked a finish time of 21:16.81 for the win.

The men’s race

Like McNeil and Brown for the Heat, Thomas Nobbs and Tyler Dozzi went 1-2 for the Thunderbirds. And like the women’s race, Nobbs dominated the field and Dozzi stayed well entrenched in second place throughout. However, the chase pack in the men’s race nearly went to the wire for an exciting finish. Nobbs clocked an 18:11 finish time, while Dozzi finished 37 seconds back.