Twelve Passtrak athletes competed in this year’s final cross country running competition, the Alberta Provincial Championships, on Nov. 7.
“All 12 athletes that competed at the provincial championships improved upon their previous times in their previous races so we were quite excited about that,” said Passtrak coach Ritch Braun.
A number of Elk Valley locals represented the Crowsnest Pass-based track and field club this year, including Elkford local Colton Sutherland, who placed sixth in the U12 boys 1.2 kilometre race at provincials, where he beat his previous personal record by 55 seconds.
According to Braun, due to the pandemic there were no outdoor track and field meets throughout the summer, however Alberta Health Services gave coaches the go-ahead to resume competitions in September.
“Because it is all outdoors, they allowed the provincial track and field association to go ahead and plan and operate a cross country running season,” added Braun.
A total of 16 Passtrak athletes competed in relatively local cross country competitions since their season began back in mid-September, with runners competing in both an unsanctioned community ‘fun run’ in Pincher Creek as well as two sanctioned competitions in Calgary organized and operated by Athletics Alberta.
“We were very pleased that we were able to start up our regular practices with the organization and the fact that we were finally able to be involved in some competitions, our athletes were quite excited about that,” said Braun.
According to Braun, Passtrak is going to continue to train their athletes, however they are awaiting direction from provincial authorities as to how the upcoming indoor competition season will look. More information on the imminent future of cross country is set to be released on Monday.
“I’m anxiously waiting to find out if there’s going to be any indoor competitions, how many there might be if there are some, when they’re going to start and what they’re going to look like – because I’m assuming that if they do occur there’s going to have to be some adjustments to how they’re being put on,” added Braun.
For more information on Passtrak or to view the athlete’s results, head to passtrak.club.
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