It will be a historic day when Saturday, Oct. 26 rolls around.

For the first time, the Nipissing Lakers cross country running team will host the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championship, as 17 universities will send teams to North Bay for the annual event.

The OUA Cross-Country Championships have been held since 1912 (men) and 1978 (women).

The 2024 races will take place at the Osprey Links Golf Course, located in Callander, ON, just outside of North Bay.

The men's 8km race will begin at 11am, starting on the first fairway. The women's 8km race starts at noon.

Athletes will complete two laps of the 4km course, with the first 2km being a flat run, with the last half consisting of hilly terrain. An exciting downhill finish on the 18^th fairway will thrill spectators as the athletes race for the OUA gold medal.

Top teams, including last year's winners Guelph Gryphons (men) and the Western Mustangs (women) will face challenges from rivals Queen's and McMaster, and others looking to upset the top favourites. The Nipissing Lakers hope to secure a top-10 finish in against its main competitors Laurentian, York, Toronto Metropolitan, Lakehead, Algoma and Trent.

The surface, being hosted on a golf course, is mostly grass with some dirt and path sections. Racers will encounter some difficult hills on the back portion of the course to test fitness and determination.

Lakers head coach Graydon Raymer is excited for his athletes to race at home and is also excited to welcome the OUA to the north.

"This event not only showcases elite-level endurance sport, but also the dedication and talent of student-athletes across Ontario. We are proud to welcome competitors, coaches, and spectators to North Bay," Raymer said. "Osprey Links Golf Course is an incredible venue to host this race, and we look forward to some exciting races."

The event is free for the public to attend and watch. Spectators are asked to use the Osprey Links Golf Course clubhouse parking lot, and not to park along Cranberry Road which needs to be kept open for busses and emergency vehicles.

Medals, awards and trophy/banner presentations will follow both races at approximately 1:15pm.

Race Results - HERE
 
Teams Participating
Algoma, Brock, Guelph, Lakehead, Laurentian, McMaster, Nipissing, Ottawa, Queen's, Toronto, TMU, Trent, Waterloo, Western, Windsor, Wilfred Laurier and York