EDMONTON - For the first time in half a century, the best runners in Western Canada are headed to northern Alberta. 49 years after hosting it for the first time, the Golden Bears and Pandas are set to host the 2024 Canada West Cross-Country Championship on October 26th. 

The race will take place at Stoney Creek Park in Camrose, Alberta — which serves as the home of the Augustana Vikings. Stoney Creek also hosted the 2023 Stewart Cup last fall, the 2021 ACAC Championship, and a yearly ACAC Grand Prix.

The only other time the University of Alberta hosted the CW XC Championship was in 1975 at Mayfair Park, now known as Hawrelak Park. 

"The University of Alberta Cross-Country program has waited almost 50 years to bring this Championship back to the northern prairie badlands region of Alberta. We are particularly excited to welcome all nine Canada West programs to the historic Stoney Creek Park," said program lead Sean Baynton. 

"It is a cross-country specific course that is considered one of the most difficult in the entire country, and will be a terrific test and host of this event." 

Under Baynton, the Golden Bears and Pandas have established themselves as medal threats at the conference meet on a yearly basis — The Bears have finished inside the top three for four consecutive seasons, while the Pandas have finished top five for three-straight years. 

The 2024 Bears and Pandas are once again primed to be among the medal favourites, with Canada West All-Rookie team members Jamie Gladdish, Ella Heinrich, Julianna Chipiuk back in the fold, as well as Bear Will Cebuliak, who placed 7th at the conference meet in 2023. 

"Hosting the Canada West XC championships, in conjunction with our Alumni Society, is an opportunity that our current Bears & Pandas teams have been relishing for the past year," continued Baynton. "The opportunity to compete in front of Alumni, friends, and family, is one that we are certainly looking forward to as we welcome the Canada West conference to Camrose."