INNISFAIL - Students in the Chinook's Edge North Athletic Association (CENAA) recently took part in the cross-country running championships
“We had 123 runners in the championships,” said Patrick Adams, athletic director at Innisfail Middle School and organizer of the event. “We had a tremendous turnout from the schools that run cross-country programs (in our association).
“Innisfail represented themselves very well in the meet,” he added.
Adams noted the route that students ran for the cross-country event this year.
“It's a true cross-country route. Students spend a lot of time running on the trails,” he said, noting the route length. “It's around the three-kilometre mark.
“That's the first time we've ever run them around (Napoleon) Lake. We've always run them up back into the trails, but our cross-country coach this year felt that would be a unique way to do it,” he added. “We try and change the course a little bit every single year.”
Students in grades 6 through 9 from 10 schools in the athletic association, including those in Sylvan Lake, Penhold, Delburne, Bowden, Innisfail Middle and Innisfail High schools, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School and Spruce View, participated in the annual cross-country running championships.
“We had great weather. We were very fortunate that we managed to pull that event off before the snow came,” he said.
Dean Woroniuk, athletic director at Innisfail High School, said although they had just one Grade 9 student in this year's event, cross-country running is a sport enjoyed by many.
“It's very much participation based,” said Woroniuk. “We want to see the kids come out for the love of running and to get them involved.”
Adams said every age group and category was judged for each event. The top three received medals.
“We awarded medals to the top times in all of our categories from Grade 6 through to Grade 9,” explained Adams. “Both girls and boys top three finishers all received a medal.”
He noted how well Innisfail students did in the championship event.
“We had two athletes from Innisfail Middle School finish second and third in the Grade 7 girls (category),” said Adams. “We had a Grade 9 girl finish second and we also had a Grade 6 girl finish in third place as well.”
Innisfail has hosted the cross-country running championships for the past several years, noted Adams, adding the lake is a prime location and the course meets all criteria for the event.
“The Centennial (Park) trails are a wonderful place to do a cross-country run,” said Adams. “We're very appreciative that the town allows us to use them for an event like that and let the kids experience a true cross-country run course.”
Patrick Adams, athletic director at Innisfail Middle School
"That's the first time we've ever run them around (Napoleon) Lake. We've always run them up back into the trails, but our cross-country coach this year felt that would be a unique way to do it."
