Cross Country

The season has STARTed!

Welcome to the Kensal Park cross country Team website

Our Season HAS STARTed

Welcome to the Cross Country Team!

We are very excited to announce our Cross Country season has started! The Cross Country team is for students in grades 3 - 8 with any level of experience. There are no tryouts or cuts - anyone who would like to run is welcome!

Please be sure to look through our webpage to find all the information you need in regard to the Cross Country team at Kensal Park. All information will be updated as it becomes available (races and results).

Fast Facts about the team

Who? Everyone (Grades 3 - 8) who is interested in running is welcome - no experience necessary!
What? Distance running! The students will run between 1.5 - 2.5 km races depending on their age.
When? Practices are held daily before school 8:00 - 8:15 am. The season runs from early September until mid-October
Where? Practices are held at Kensal Park on the West yard by the office. Race locations will be posted below.
Why? Cross Country encourages a healthy and active lifestyle, plus... it's fun! All you need is a pair of shoes and a smile!

PRACTICE SChedule

Practices are held daily at Kensal Park before school from 8:00 - 8:15 am, please meet Mme MacKay on the West Yard by the office beginning September 11th. You don't need to sign up just join us for the morning run!

Please be sure to have appropriate running gear for the weather, a water bottle, and any necessary medical equipment (E.g., Inhalers, Epipen). We encourage you to go for runs with family members in your local neighbourhood or park.

WEst Regional qualifier - results

Congratulations everyone for a fantastic West Regional Qualifier Meet. All the runners, coaches, and volunteers did a fantastic job and made our school proud! A special thank you to all of the parent volunteers for helping to make this meet possible.

The following athletes have qualified for the TVDSB City Final Meet on Tuesday, October 17th:

Boys (8)

Novice (Gr. 3) - Nazar Leonov, Beau Steveson
Bantom (Gr. 4) - Noah Plomp
Junior (Gr. 5) - Ryker Thorne (1st), Callan Chrissley
Interm. (Gr. 6) - Nate White, Kole Gingrich
Senior (Gr. 7) - Jackson Pieters
Open (Gr. 8) - N/A

Girls (15)

Novice (Gr. 3) - Esther Arrey-mbi (1st), Ava McKay, Cate Shouldice, Claire McDonald
Bantom (Gr. 4) - Vanessa Ley, Piper Ramsey, Lillian Boyd, Rémie El Assadi
Junior (Gr. 5) - Bonnie Vaugh De Luque
Interm. (Gr. 6) - Tia Brazier
Senior (Gr. 7) - Caroline Hall, Audree Beecroft
Open (Gr. 8) - Charlotte Sheppard (1st), Cali Brazier, Abby Walsh

If you did not qualify for the TVDSB Finals that means that unfortunately, your season has come to an end. We thank you for a great season and look forward to seeing you next year!

Practice will continue to run as normal for qualifying athletes.

Please note - Bolded athletes qualified as a team and will have a preferred starting position at TVDSB Finals (see chart below).
Individual qualifiers will start from the "Individual Runners WL" area (see chart below).

Upcoming Race

TVDSB Finals

Date: Tuesday, October 17th, 2023
Raindate - Wednesday, October 18th
Location: Fanshawe Conservation Area
Time: 11:30 - 4:00 pm
Transportation: There will not be a bus provided.
Walk Through: Sunday, October 15th (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) and Race Day - 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm

RACE TIMEs & ROUTES

Start Times:

Starting Line

Starting Line:

Competition Information

Race Day

Competitors must sign in and out with Mme MacKay (between the Nordic Ski and the playground, adjacent to the starting line).
Competitors will have the opportunity to walk through the course on race day from 12:00 - 12:45 pm with a parent/guardian.
Competitors are welcome to do a walk-through on their own on Sunday, October 15th.
Competitors must have an identification label stuck on their shirts before their race (provided by coaches).
Competitors will be assigned a Kensal Park t-shirt that must be returned to coaches before leaving. Please bring a change of clothes.
Competitors are encouraged to fuel their bodies before the race. Heavy meals approx. hours before the run may cause some discomfort.
Competitors should hydrate throughout race day, but not too much immediately before the race to avoid stomach aches.
Competitors can check for cancellation updates online (www.tvdsb.ca) and on Twitter (@TVDSBsports)

Race Day Attire

Runners should wear several layers of clothing that can be removed or put on to adjust to changing weather conditions.
Students will be assigned a Kensal Park t-shirt that must be returned to coaches before leaving. Please bring a change of clothes.
Runners must have an identification label stuck on their shirts before their race (provided by coaches).
Please make sure your child has sunscreen and a hat in case it is very warm on the day of the meet.
Only running shoes can be worn (no specialty running footwear - spikes or cleats, etc.)

Special Features:

A snack bar selling food and drinks will be open. Please ensure that trash is disposed of properly.
Championship T-Shirts and Hooded Sweatshirts will be on sale online by Positive Identity until Thursday, October 12th at midnight
- Merchandise will also be on sale in person on race day for cash only.
- PRE-ORDER AT: https://positiveidentity.com/xc/

Course Information

Runners will have the opportunity to walk through their course from 12:00 - 12:45 pm with a parent volunteer.
Competitors must remain aware of varying course conditions (long grass, roots, muddy sections, slippery areas, or rocky sections).
Roots and major obstructions will be identified with fluorescent paint.

TVDSB Competition Rules

Fair Play rules will be adhered to.
Runners should try to remain at least one arm away from other participants to reduce the chance of trips and falls.
Competitors that deliberately obstruct, push, or trip another runner will be disqualified.
All spectators are to stay behind the ropes and areas marked with caution tape. Please do not bring your dog to the meet.
No spectators are permitted within the finish line, on the course, or in the 'Coaches Only' area.
Any adults on the course, assisting a competitor (running alongside) may lead to competitor disqualification

Results

Runners must have an identification label stuck on them before their race (provided by coaches).
After crossing the finish, team runners must hand in their place card to their coach before leaving 'the shoot' area (for team qualification). Do not leave the finish line without first talking to Mme MacKay.
Results will be posted inside the North Ski Hut.

Medical Conditions, Injuries, & Illness

It is essential that competitors who require a puffer or EpiPen carry it with them before, during, and after their race.
There are fanny packs that can be purchased to hold a puffer or EpiPen and won't inhibit mechanics or performance.
If a competitor is hurt, sick, or wants to stop they are to find a Marshall (bright pennies) who will bring the runner to the finish

Transportation & Parking:

Runners are required to organize their own transportation to and from the race. A school bus will not be provided.
There will be a $2.00 charge for each vehicle to cover the use of the park. Please have the exact change ready.
This donation is the only profit the park gets for the amazing help they provide us each year.
All spectators must use the main entrance (Clarke Side Road) and follow the signs and directions of the marshals at all times.
Please do not arrive prior to 11:30 am (there is a Special Olympics event taking before the race).
To exit, use both Clarke Side Road and Fanshawe Park Road. Please drive with caution!
Please ensure you are at the meet a minimum of forty-five (45) minutes prior to your child's race start time (listed below).
Parking can take upwards of fifteen (15) minutes.

FORMS

Athletic Participation
(Appendix A)

Appendix+A.pdf

Permission Form
Regional Meet

Permission Form.pdf

Permission Form
TVDSB Final Meet

Permission Form - TVDSB Finals.pdf

FAQ

What should runners wear?

Runners are expected to bring their own running shoes (no specialty shoes - spikes, cleats, etc.)
Runners should wear several layers of clothing that can be removed or put on to adjust to changing weather conditions.

Transportation to/from the Regional Meet?

Buses are provided to the meet only. Parents are required to pick up students afterward (sign out with coaches before leaving).
To keep things simple; it's preferred all students take the bus to the meet.
Alternate transportation to the meet must be approved by Mme Mackay beforehand.

How much does Cross Country cost?

The Cross Country team is free this year.
A special thank you to the Kensal Park Student Council who generously offered to pay for our buses.

Are uniforms provided?

Mme MacKay will provide students with an official Kensal Park t-shirt on race day, prior to their race.
Students are expected to return their t-shirts immediately after their race. ($10.00 charge for shirts not returned)

What if there is bad weather at a meet?

Rain and cool temperature alone are insufficient reasons for the postponement of the meet.
Severe thunderstorms, a continuous downpour, bus delays due to fog, or unsafe terrain will cause a meet to be postponed.
Participants can listen for cancellation notices on the radio (BOB 102.3 FM & Q97.5 FM) and check for updates online (www.tvdsb.ca) and on Twitter (@TVDSBsports).

The season has already started. Can I still sign up?

The deadline to sign up will be one week before the West Regional Qualifier.
Just submit signed permission and athletic participation forms (listed below) and come on out to practice!

What if my child has an EpiPen/puffer?

For their safety - it is expected that students carry their EpiPen/puffers on their person while running
Wearing a fanny pack is a great way to carry without inhibiting a competitor's mechanics or performance

Volunteers

Is there anything I can do to help?

Absolutely! We're always in need of parent volunteers for the West Regional Qualifier.
Parent volunteers will help coaches by doing the pre-race walk-through, marshaling runners to the start, and by...'herding cats'.
Please note that all coaches (teachers) are volunteers as well.

How do I become a Parent Volunteer?

All volunteers must submit a Volunteer Application Form to the office.
First-time volunteers require a valid police check. Returning volunteers need to submit a self-declaration (below) to the office.
Sign up to volunteer on the form listed below!

How do I get a Police Check?

Residents of London can get one from the London Police Service here.
Please note the $15 cost is not covered and it can take more than a month to process.

The Wall of Fame - City Champions

Charlotte Sheppard (Senior) - 4th Place (2022)

Vanessa Ley (Novice) - 5th Place (2022)

Vanessa Ley, Lillian Boyd, Violet Boyd, Freya Golds (Novice Team) - 2nd Place (2022)

Lauren Cameron (Open) - 2nd Place (2019)

Mateen Tamba (Intermediate) - 3rd Place (2019)

Catharine Robinson (Intermediate) - 5th Place (2019)

Lauren Cameron (Senior) - City Champion (2018)