S1
Langford
FEBRUARY 2020
A FESTIVAL OF
RUNNING
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 29
Bear Mountain Resort Welcomes the Pan Am XC Cup Bear Mountain Golf Resort will be transformed into a world-class cross country course on Saturday, Feb. 29, when national running teams from North, South and Central America and the Caribbean will compete for the coveted Pan Am Cross Country Cup.
T
he athletes will compete in four races — two U20 and two senior races, male and female. The U20 men’s race will be over an 8km distance, and the women athletes will run 6km. Both the senior men and women will run 10km, in what has been described as one of the most challenging courses in Pan Am XC history. “We have 14 countries coming from as far away as Brazil, Bahamas and Peru. There are 126 national team athletes running and a very strong Canadian team to compete for the medals,” says Bruce Deacon, the event general manager. “This is the first time that Greater Victoria has hosted such an international field of cross country runners. In the past, this event has been contested on flat courses, and the Bear Mountain course will definitely test the
athletes who are used to racing on flat grassy fields. This is a tough course.” In addition to the national competition at the Pan Am XC Cup, there are a series of races that are open to the public. The day long running festival includes a community race, a kids’ race (Nations Cup), the Pacific Northwest youth race, the Can Am Masters challenge and the Pan Am Cup races. Participants in the community race will have a chance to run a 5K course, which is comprised of three loops (2k, 1k, 2k) and has all the features of a cross country course including hills, mud and a sand pit. There will be age divisions in five-year categories, chip timing and a participant toque. Clubs and teams also have the chance to compete and win the VIRA Cross Country Cup, presented by the Vancouver Island Runners Association. “This is a chance for local runners to race over the same course as the elite international athletes and to experience the excitement of racing cross country,” explains Deacon. The race for students in grades K to 2, 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 — the Nations Cup — has a challenge where schools will be designated a country and run in t-shirts with the country’s team colours. There are 175 students in the Nations Cup and 22 schools. For older students, grades 9 to 12, there is the
Pacific Northwest Youth Cup, where teams of five boys and five girls can score points to determine the fastest city team. Canada and US rivalry in cross country running will be seen up close at the Can Am Masters Challenge. Canada leads the challenge series over the US 18 to 14, and is undefeated on Canadian soil. Individuals and clubs are invited to compete in the 5km race, which is open to runners over 30. With five year-age categories, this competition is expected to be exciting and intense. “What makes this event so special is that it gives all masters a chance to represent Canada. Anyone over 30 can run the race and count in the scoring against the US. For the average runner, there are few opportunities to race for your country,” adds Deacon, himself a two-time Olympian. This will be the most prestigious international cross country running event that B.C. has ever hosted. Spectators are invited to come and cheer on the participants as they test themselves over the challenging course. “This is a festival of cross country running that you won’t want to miss!” says Deacon.
For more information on the Pan Am XC Cup and to register for any of the public races, go to: panamxccup2020.com
The Victoria International Cross Country Association (VICCA) will be the proud hosts of the 2020 Pan Am Cross Country Championships. The 2020 Pan Ams will be an event athletes and spectators will remember forever.
FOR VIEWING, SPECTATORS AND MEDIA WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH ALMOST THE ENTIRE RACE WITHOUT MOVING VERY FAR.
THE LAYOUT OF THE LONG FAIRWAYS OF HOLE #1 AND #18 ALLOW APPROXIMATELY 80 PER CENT OF THE COURSE TO BE SEEN FROM THE VIEWING AREA, JUST STEPS OUTSIDE OF THE BEAR MOUNTAIN RESORT THAT WILL BE THE ATHLETE’S VILLAGE. — DOUG SMITH PHOTOS.