Cross Country

Cross Country Finals Race (@ Sunnybrook Park)

Monday, Oct. 26th, 2026

***ALL RUNNYMEDE ATHLETES MUST BE DRIVEN TO SUNNYBROOK PARK BY THEIR PARENT. IF YOU CANNOT DRIVE YOUR CHILD, PLEASE EMAIL JENNIE STEEN jenniesteen@yahoo.ca . SHE IS HELPING TO ARRANGE CARPOOLING.

***IF YOU ARE WILLING TO HELP DRIVE OTHER STUDENTS, YOU MUST HAVE $2 MILLION DOLLAR LIABILITY INSURANCE. PLEASE PUT YOUR NAME DOWN ON THIS LIST (City final drivers) AND FILL IN THIS FORM (Principal Authorization Parent Drives) PLEASE CONTACT JENNIE STEEN IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS***

***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 tristan.thackray@tdsb.on.ca and let us know.***

Location: Sunnybrook Park (Sunnybrook Park Sports Fields)

Meeting Time and Location: All runners should arrive by 9:50am to ensure proper preparation time, and to cheer on Finalist Runners. The Runnymede tent (White roof) will be set up as close to the starting area as possible, so please look for the tent, and of course Runnymede Orange shirts.

*If you are going to be later than 9:50am, please email Mr. Thackray (tristan.thackray@tdsb.on.ca) AND Ms. Afonso (diana.afonso@tdsb.on.ca) and let us know. Please be aware that we cannot stop races from starting should you be late.

More Race Information (Maps, info from the convenors can be found here)

XC City Finals 2026 Presentation

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, t-shirts, 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 limited. While there is parking located as you enter the upper field (behind the start/finish area), often those lots fill up quickly. More available parking can be found in the pictured areas below. (Red Circles are parking, purple arrow mark staircase to the fields)

Race Times
*** They will be starting promptly at the posted time. Please ensure your athletes are at the park and in the start line area in plenty of time.

***Please arrive by 9:50am

*** Schedule can run up to 20 minutes ahead (except the first few races)

10:30   Grade 4 Boys        
10:45   Grade 4 Girls        
11:00   Grade 5 Boys        
11:15   Grade 5 Girls            

11:30   Grade 6 Boys           

11:45   Grade 6 Girls            

12:00   Grade 7 Boys      

12:15   Grade 7 Girls        
12:30   Grade 8 Boys        
12:45   Grade 8 Girls 

Cross Country West Conference Finals Race 

Thursday, Oct. 22nd, 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 leeanne.jardine@tdsb.on.ca and let us know.***

Location: Centennial Park Cricket Pitches (same location as last time)

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 3-6 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 7-8 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.  ALL cross country runners MUST travel to the meet by bus with their team. 

***R.A.C LUNCH***: Students who participate in RAC lunch will not be back in time for RAC, so please pack a lunch for them.

Dismissal: All cross-country runners MUST travel by bus to the meet with their team. If you wish to sign your child out at Centennial and take them from the race, you may do so with the designated teacher at the Runnymede tent.  Parents may sign out their child only,  no friends. Otherwise, all students will be returned to Runnymede by bus. This will include the Grade 7’s and 8’s as their races will run earlier and allow enough time to board the bus.

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.

Headphones and personal audio equipment (Airpods, mp3 players, etc) are not allowed.

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. It is also possible for races to start up to 20 minutes earlier than scheduled.

10:30  Grade 3 Girls 1500m
10:40  Grade 3 Boys 1500m

10:50  Grade 4 Girls   2000m
11:00  Grade 4 Boys 2000m
11:10  Grade 5 Girls 2000m
11:20  Grade 5 Boys 2000m

11:30 BARRIER FREE FUN RUN (500m)
11:45  Grade 6 Girls 2000m
12:00  Grade 6 Boys 2000m
12:15  Grade 7 Girls   3000m
12:30  Grade 7 Boys 3000m

12:33  Grade 8 Boys      3000m
12:40  Grade 8 Girls 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)

2026 Course Maps

SPECIAL NOTE FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY FOR CITY FINALS:

Any students who qualify for the City Finals on Monday Oct. 26th must be driven to Sunnybrook Park by their parent or guardian. Please plan accordingly. We will try to arrange carpooling options for those in need. 

MEET QUALIFICATION:

• TDESAA CITY CHAMPIONSHIPS:  Top three teams (5 runners) and top 20 individuals not on a top 3 team. 

PLAYING RULES AND REGULATIONS 

• Grade 3- 1500m-  will run the qualification meet and Conference finals only.  1st-10th ribbons will be given. Students will qualify for conference finals with full awards. No city finals for Grade 3s

• Grades 4-6- 2000m- eligible for both conference and city finals.

• Grades 7-8- 3000m- eligible for both conference and city finals

• No running or cycling with runners by coaches or parents.  Stand and cheer only

West Conference Qualifiers Race Results - OFFICIAL

Please find below the official results below for those students who qualified by finishing in the top 50 (Grade 3-6) and top 40 (Grade 7-8). Some runners who finished after 50th / 40th will still have qualified due to the "team" system which removes top runners from the top 50 count.

Grade 3 - 8 students who qualify for the West Conference Finals on Oct. 22nd (Centennial) should come to practices on, Wednesday Oct. 14th, Friday Oct. 16th, Monday Oct. 19th and Wednesday Oct. 21st. 

Details for the Oct. 22nd meet will be shared here in the coming days.

*I have noted in brackets the overall place of each team's place.

West Conference Qualifiers Race Results - Pending

Official results from the West Conference Qualifiers Race will be shared here just as soon as Mr. Thackray has them. Grade 3 - 8 students who qualify for the West Conference Finals on Oct. 22nd (Centennial) should come to practices on Oct. 14th, 16th, 19th and 21st.

For students who did not qualify, and ALL Grade 1 and 2 students, congratulations on a fantastic Cross Country season. We'll see you next year!

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

Route Map - Centennial

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