Athletics Canada Reveals 2023 Canadian Championships Series

Athletics Canada is pleased to reveal the events that will comprise the 2023 Canadian Championships Series.

The Series will comprise nine events taking place across five provinces, and will feature competitions ranging from the 100m to the Marathon to be contested on the track, field, road, trail and mountain.

“The Canadian Championships Series is an important part of our domestic programming and in many cases these events are front and centre in helping select who will represent Canada at major international events. Athletics Canada is fortunate to be able to count on so many great local organizing groups to help bring these events to life,” said Mathieu Gentès, Chief Executive Officer, Athletics Canada. “From the track to the roads, the trails, and now even in the mountains, there really is a championship for everyone who participates in the sport of athletics.”

On top of crowing national champions, several of this year's Canadian Championships will influence the selection process to national teams for upcoming events. For example, first place finishers at the 2023 Bell Canadian Track & Field Championships who have attained the performance standard of their respective event will be automatically selected to Team Canada at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest in August.

Seven of the nine events on the 2023 calendar will be contested at the same location as last year. The Canadian Half-Marathon Championships are returning to Winnipeg for a third consecutive year, once again a part of the Manitoba Marathon weekend on Father’s Day, June 18. Race director Rachel Munday said her team is looking forward to hosting the event’s 45th edition.

“For us, it’s an opportunity to showcase our beautiful city and our fast, flat course,” she said. “As a middle province that isn’t a traditional race destination, it’s exciting to see Canada’s fastest runners toe our start line, and for our runners, spectators and volunteers to cheer on these amazing athletes.”

She hopes to see a mixture of familiar faces and newcomers on the start line.

“Since the pandemic, the running industry has seen an increase in participants trying their first organized race event. It’s so exciting to see these new runners experience the energy of the start line and the joy of crossing their first finish line.”

Last year, the series generated several highlights: Ben Flanagan breaking the Canadian 10km record at the Canadian 10km Championships in Ottawa, Trevor Hofbauer and Malindi Elmore repeating as Canadian marathon champions in Toronto in October, Sarah Mitton becoming the first Canadian woman to throw over 20 metres at the 2022 Bell Canadian Track & Field Championships, and Sasha Gollish competing in eight events and winning bronze in the 5,000m at the 2023 Bell Canadian Track & Field Championships.

“Each of the events had special moments,” said Gollish, who recalls feeling chills at start lines while listening to the national anthem, kicking hard for bronze in the last stretch of the 5,000m and being cheered on by Canadian marathon champion Natasha Wodak, and jumping in the arms of her best friend and race director Gillian McCabe, the race director at the Canadian Marathon Championships.

 “This year, I’m thinking I might run the Canadian 10k and 10,000m Championships in the spring,” said Gollish. “Road races are so special because you often get to line up with everyone else competing.”

LIST OF 2023 CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS