The 2010 AGSI Canadian Cross Country Championships will be hosted Saturday at the University of Guelph Arboretum. The Championships will bring to an end the four year cycle of hosting for Guelph and organizers are hoping for this year to the biggest yet. New to this year schedule will be a second community race due to the overwhelming demand at last year’s event. The Women’scross 5k community race will begin the day’s action at 9:15 am, it will be followed at 10 am by the traditional Wintercross 5k, which this year will be for men only. At 10:45 the first national championships of the day will be awarded with the men’s and women’s masters (over 30) eight kilometre races.

The meet's oldest competitors will be followed by its youngest as there will be a free children's one kilometre fun run at 11:45. This will lead into the Junior (under 20) Women’s 5k which starts at noon. Defending Champion Caroline Pfister will be looking to make it two in a row but can expect a challenge from local runners Natalie Kannenberg and Emily Driedger, the Canadian University Rookie of The Year. Local hopes are also high for the junior men’s race where Guelph Gryphon rookie sensation Ross Proudfoot will be looking to capture his first ever national title, Proudfoot will likely be challenged by top returner Daryl Smith, who was fourth last year. The junior men will run eight kilometres starting at 12:45 pm.

What many anticipate to be the most competitive race of the day will be the senior women’s 7 kilometre race, which will start at 1:30 pm. With no clear favourite, there is a list of 10 or more athletes who could contend for the win. The host club, Speed River’s hopes will rest on Hilary Stellingwerff, fresh off her appearance in the Commonwealth Games and Canadian Steeplechase Champion Dana Buchanan. British Columbia’s Natasha Wodak is the top returner and finished second at this past summer’s Canadian Championships in the 5000 metres. The day will conclude with the senior men’s race which will begin at 2:15 pm. Top Canadian Marathoner Reid Coolsaet will look to bookend his championships, as he captured the first championship hosted in Guelph back in 2007. Looking to challenge Coolsaet will be Speed River teammates Rob Watson, second in 2008 and Matt Brunsting, third in 2009. Kenyan Kip Kangogo who is still awaiting Canadian citizenship but did finish first in the Canadian Championships over 5000 metres is also expected to be in the mix.

Organizers expect over a 1000 competitors to traverse the Arboretum course on Saturday ranging in age from four to 80. The championships will also serve as the selection meet for national teams competing at the 2011 NACAC (North America Central America and Caribbean) Cross Country Championships and 2011 World Cross Country Championships.

For more information on the Championships visit http://guelphrunning.ca/events.php?id=15

Schedule of events

Time Event Distance

9:15am Women`s Community / Open Race (non championship) 5km

10:00am Men`s Community / Open Race (non championship) 5km

10:45am Master`s Men & Women Championship 8km

11:45am Children`s Fun Run (non championship) 1km

12:00pm Junior Women Championship 5km

12:45pm Junior Men Championship 8km

1:30pm Senior Women Championship 7km

2:15pm Senior Men Championship 10km