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Cross Country West Conference Qualifiers Race
Thursday, Oct. 8th, 2026.
***ALL RUNNYMEDE ATHLETES MUST WEAR THEIR RUNNYMEDE SHIRT. IF THEY DO NOT HAVE ONE, WEAR AN ORANGE SHIRT.***
***IF YOUR CHILD IS NOT ATTENDING THE RACE, PLEASE EMAIL kerry-ann.markwick@tdsb.on.ca and let us know.***
Location: Centennial Park Cricket Pitches
The cricket pitches are at the North end of the park. Please see the map below. All parents of runners are welcome to come to the field. No running or cycling with runners by coaches or parents. Stand and cheer only.
Morning of the Race: All Grades 1-5 Cross Country runners must come promptly to the school at 8:30am. They should enter via DOOR 6 and proceed up the stairs to the senior gym. All grade 6-8 Cross Country runners will come to school for regular time and proceed to class. They will be called down to the basketball courts when the buses have returned to pick them up approximately around 10:30am.
***R.A.C LUNCH***: Students who participate in RAC lunch will not be back in time for RAC lunch, so please pack a lunch for them.
Dismissal: All cross-country runners will travel by bus to and from the meet with their team. If you wish to sign your child out early, you must do so from the school. Grades 1 and 2 runners will be returning to Runnymede approximately 12pm - 12:30pm. Grades 3 and 4 runners will be returning to Runnymede approximately 1pm - 1:30pm. Grades 5, 6, and 7 students will be returned by bus before the end of the day. Grade 8 students will be returned to Runnymede by private car by the end of the day. In the event races are running late, it is possible that Grade 7’s may need to be returned by private car.
What to bring: Please make sure your child has everything they need for the day: running shoes, water bottle, snack, lunch, blanket/towel to sit on (if they like). The meet will take place rain or shine, hot or cold, so runners need appropriate clothes for any weather. It is recommended that runners wear layers (pants, shorts, tshirts, sweatshirts, jackets) and bring extra socks in case they get wet. They will need their backpacks to keep all of their belongings. Students are encouraged to bring something quiet to do while they wait for their race time (a book, deck of cards, colouring etc). Students should not bring sports balls. As this is a school event, students are not to have cell phones and should not bring laptops.
A note from the organizers:
Spikes or cleats- allowed for grades 7 & 8 students only. Grades 1-6 must wear running shoes.
Parent Parking: Parking is very limited. Consider carpooling when possible. Use the parking lot just north of the arena at Centennial Park. You will have to come early to get a spot.
Race Times
*Runners will be marshalled to the start location 20 minutes before each race. Officials do their best to have races start on time, but things do come up.
10:30 Grade 1 Girls 1000m
10:40 Grade 1 Boys 1000m
10:50 Grade 2 Girls 1000m
11:00 Grade 2 Boys 1000m
11:10 Grade 3 Girls 1500m
11:20 Grade 3 Boys 1500m
11:40 Grade 4 Girls 2000m
11:55 Grade 4 Boys 2000m
12:10 Grade 5 Girls 2000m
12:25 Grade 5 Boys 2000m
12:40 Grade 6 Girls 2000m
12:55 Grade 6 Boys 2000m
1:10 Grade 7 Girls 3000m
Grade 7 Boys 3000m
1:30 Grade 8 Girls 3000m
Grade 8 Boys 3000m
SEVERE WEATHER CANCELLATIONS:
Meets will not be cancelled because of rain. If there are thunderstorms in the forecast, then the meet may be cancelled and rescheduled. A message will be posted on TDSB site, TDESAA Site, Twitter etc. by 6:00 am the day of the meet.
RACE ROUTES
(please click the link)
NOT ATTENDING THE MEET?
If your child is not going to attend the meet on Oct. 8th, please e-mail Ms. Markwick as soon as possible!
kerry-ann.markwick@tdsb.on.ca
School Cash Online - $10
REMINDER: Parents, if you have not already, please visit School Cash Online and make the $10 payment for each child attending the Cross Country Meet Oct. 8th. This money is essential for the school to be able to pay for the bussess.
Cross Country Competition Dates (Updated!!!)
*Detailed information regarding each meet will be posted here closer to the meet date.
West Region Cross Country Meet Qualifier (Grades 1 - 8): Thursday, October 8th @ Centennial
Race Times
*Runners to be marshalled to their starting area 20 minutes before race time.
10:30 Grade 1 Girls 1000m
10:40 Grade 1 Boys 1000m
10:50 Grade 2 Girls 1000m
11:00 Grade 2 Boys 1000m
11:10 Grade 3 Girls 1500m
11:20 Grade 3 Boys 1500m
11:40 Grade 4 Girls 2000m
11:55 Grade 4 Boys 2000m
12:10 Grade 5 Girls 2000m
12:25 Grade 5 Boys 2000m
12:40 Grade 6 Girls 2000m
12:55 Grade 6 Boys 2000m
1:10 Grade 7 Girls 3000m
Grade 7 Boys 3000m
1:30 Grade 8 Girls 3000m
Grade 8 Boys 3000m
West Conference Finals (Grades 3 - 8): Thursday, Oct. 22nd @ Centennial
City Finals (Grades 4 - 8): Monday, Oct. 26th @ Sunnybrook Park
2026 Route Map
Cross Country Running Team (Gr. 1-8 students)
Deadline to register is Monday, Sept. 21st at 8:00am. After this point, we cannot accept new registrations.
Practices are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:10am - 8:40am. In the event of severe weather, practice will be cancelled. Parents must sign up on EMA before the first practice. There is a $10 fee per student to cover the transportation cost to and from Centennial Park. Attendance will be taken at every practice.
RE: PARTICIPATING IN CROSS COUNTRY 2026
We are getting ready for the Cross Country season and this message is for families of students who are interested in trying out for the Cross Country team. This year's team will be administered by Mr. Thackray and Ms. Markwick with numerous other teachers supporting.
For your child to try out for CROSS COUNTRY,
You must log into the Excursion Management Application - For Athletics (EMA) and give permission for your child to try out. Students who have not registered on EMA will not be able to attend practice due to liability issues. If logging in for the first time, you will need your child’s student number which can be found on their previous report cards. EMA registration notifications will be sent during the first week of school.
***VERY IMPORTANT***:
Please select the correct Grade team when registering your child. If you are registering siblings, please ensure which child you have selected before registering them for their Grade team.
If you are unfamiliar with EMA or are in need of refresher, please click here for a guide on How to Complete an Athletic Team Tryout Permission Form For Parents.
NOTE: You must click the athletics tab at the top of the page once you have logged into EMA.
Here are the training/practice details:
Grades 1-8:
Practices will run Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:10am - 8:40am. Students will meet on the soccer field and after a warm up, they will either be running on the turf (Grades 1 and 2) or on the sidewalks that surround the school. Practices will start on Wednesday September 16th and continue throughout the month of September. Please ensure your child has proper running shoes before coming to practice and that they bring water so they can stay hydrated.
If you are interested in having your child participate in the Runnymede Cross Country team, please log into EMA as soon as possible to register your child. Students cannot participate in practices/training without having been registered through EMA. Also, please note that only students who consistently come to practice and who have shown the ability to run the length of the race will be invited to come to the Cross Country meet in early October.
We are looking forward to a great 2026 Cross Country Season.
Tristan Thackray
Questions? Email: tristan.thackray@tdsb.on.ca
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