Here’s an article no one asked for, and perhaps one that could spark debate and maybe even hate! But I’ve seen a lot of stuff this year that gives me pause, and none of it could make for an entire article on its own. So here are my top takes in the elite trail running scene inside Canada right now.

1. WE NEED A CROSS-CANADA RACING SERIES

Every race in Quebec is competitive. Every single one. But it’s not like that anywhere else. You show up to a random race in BC, Ontario, or Alberta, and the competition doesn’t run quite as deep.

A Canada-wide racing series would serve so many purposes.

First of all, funnelling more competition into already competitive races (like QMT, Squamish, Harricana), whilst bumping competition at the others close enough or historic enough (Sulphur Springs, Diez Vista, Sinister 7, etc.).

At a race like Harricana, it could also funnel elite athletes into maybe three disciplines (28K, 42K and 125K as intended) rather than six or seven (20K, 65K, 80K, 42K again, etc).

Most elite athletes I talk to want to race competitive races. But too many races happen around the same time, and athletes are always conflicted.

As an athlete in B.C., you’re always weighing up your options.

In April, you can go to Gorge Waterfalls and race tough competition from the States, or you can race Diez Vista in your home province and get less competition. In June this year, The Coaster happened on the same weekend as Whistler. A month later, you could fly out to QMT and race Nationals, or you could race Broken Arrow a few weeks earlier, Speedgoat a few weeks later, or Gary Robbins’ brand new Alpenglow race the same weekend.

There’s too many competing races, and athletes don’t always know what races are going to be the most competitive on any given year as a result. I actually have an idea that can help with this for next year.

But beyond my own ideas, a Canada-wide series would give elite athletes more of a guide as to exactly what they should sign up for. What sponsorships are on the line, what prize money might be on the line, and why they should stay in Canada over travelling elsewhere.

Finally, I think a series like this would be the best way to select athletes for a World’s team.

Single selection races work to some degree, but then become more minute again when half the team is chosen by their resume – and many of those athletes don’t show up to Nationals to actually show where they stack up within that two year span.

Have athletes throw down at Harricana, QMT, Squamish, and whatever else you want, and use consistent performances within those races as the basis for Team Canada selection.

2. ELITE ATHLETES SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET INTO RACES

Might be a hot take, but I think all athletes regardless of status should pay to get into any race, just like everyone else. If races then want to do an elite application afterward and reimburse those registered athletes with free bibs – great!

But no one should get in for free after registration has closed.

Not when registration has been closed for 10 months. Not just because they’ve run a fast marathon. Not just because their sponsor asked for a favour. If you want into a race, you need to register for it on time just like everyone else.

Even better take – now you want into the race and it’s 2 months away with registration sold out? Donate over $200 to the charity that the race supports. Now everyone benefits.

3. RACES SHOULD CARE ABOUT COMPETITION OVER PROMOTION

Okay, so races don’t need to care about the competitiveness of their race. They care more about elite athletes who can help to promote their race and bring more awareness to the thing.

But races should care about competition. First of all, as this sport grows as a “spectator” sport, this is what fans care about.

I watch Black Canyon, Golden Trail, Western States, etc. not just because the coverage is fantastic, but because these are competitive races with a lot of excitement and intrigue at the front of the race.

Athletes also care about competition. I’m not alone in searching for races steep in competition. This might be hard for some people to hear, but even after the whole thing with Gary Robbins, many athletes will choose UTMB races like Canyons, Speedgoat, Grindstone, Kodiak, and now Mont Tremblant and Whistler, because it’s a UTMB race. Reality – you get a mildly inflated UTMB score, and you get good competition.

If local races are then going to compete with UTMB for the attention of good runners, they will need to ensure their race is competitive enough to continue attracting elite athletes. I can count on one hand the amount of runners I know who show up to races that they know they can win. Most show up to races where they know they probably won’t.

4. THE COUPE DE QUEBEC IS THE COOLEST THING TO HAPPEN IN CANADIAN TRAIL

It might not be a Canada-wide series, but thanks to the efforts of many elite athletes and Athlétisme Québec, the Coupe Quebec Trail will be a reality in 2026, which is really exciting.

It’s the first time that Canada will have a truly competitive racing ‘series’. Not Canada-wide, but a great start.

It will better funnel competition into UTHC 28K, the Canadian Mountain Running Champs at the end of the year, and the other races across the series. With the distances being so short (16K-28K), more USPORTS athletes and even teenagers might also jump over to trails earlier, making for a really exciting time in Canadian trail running.

I for one want to be a part of it, and I hope any athlete that wants to put their name on the Mountain Running team for 2027 does too. For that matter…

5. EVERY ATHLETE WANTING TO COMPETE FOR CANADA SHOULD HAVE TO COMPETE AT NATIONALS

So Nationals isn’t your day? That’s where the resume comes in. But winning a less competitive 50K around the same weekend as the National 50K should not count as a resume booster for anyone.

Even if an athlete doesn’t finish the race, they should be showing up and putting their neck on the line at Nationals. And if not in the year of the selection race, then they should have to prove themselves the year before, or after. The year of World Champs is probably a better indication of how they’ll fare anyway.

Regardless, every athlete wanting to compete for Canada should come home from France and put their name in the mix.

And also, at the same time, the selection committee nailed it this year. The team selections were 98% not even up for debate, and I’m so excited to cheer on all my friends and Canadian competitors at this year’s World Champs. Swap Jean-Francois Cauchon and Brandon Gardiner in there instead, and it’s pretty spot on. Nevertheless, go Team Canada go!

Update – These were the exact two athletes that Athletics Canada swapped in for injured athletes 😆🔥.

We’re in a great place ahead of the World Championships this year – the best we’ve ever been. And despite some of my critiques, it’s an incredibly exciting time for Canadian trail running.

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So there it is! Some of my takes on elite trail running culture in Canada right now. If you have thoughts to add to the mix or disagree give me a message or comment! Thanks for reading and see you soon!