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We’ve accomplished a great deal, so far in 2023!  There is a great deal of enthusiasm and confidence as we look ahead to the outdoor season.  Between the two Athletics Ontario Indoor Championships (U18/Open and U16/U20), CTAC athletes produced thirty-three new personal best performances, ten Top 10’s and one bronze medal.  Additionally, five athletes qualified to race US Indoor Nationals in New York (Nike Indoor Nationals) and Boston (New Balance Nationals).  Although only three were able to make the trip, the results were reflective of our overall indoor performances.  Morgan finished 16^th in the Emerging Elite Mile in New York and Kieva finished 15^th in the Freshman Mile in Boston.  So, although we may not have produced more medals, our collective effort signals greater things to come, and the outdoor season promises to be even more eventful!

For example, we are looking forward, to the Florida Training Camp, OFSAA Championships, summer twilight meets, AO Championships and Nationals (Langley B.C.).  Congratulations to all!!

The Athletics Ontario U16/U20 Indoor Championships mark the end of the indoor racing season for the vast majority. Base on the results, there is a great deal of enthusiasm and confidence entering the March Break transition period and the upcoming outdoor season.

This past weekend CTAC athletes turned in seven Top 10 performances including a bronze medal for Maeve in the women’s U20 3000m. Other top 10 performances include two from Rebecca Pribaz (U16 1200m & 800m), Madeline Hill (U16 300m), Kyrie Savvaidis (U16 2000m), Kieva Birmingham (U16 800m) and Morgan Yeomans (U20 800m).

And if that isn’t impressive enough, the entire crew from the Development and High School Groups, turned in 18 new personal best performances. That truly is something special! Congratulations all!! Full results can be found at https://athleticsontario.ca/statistics/results/live/2023/0304-u16-u20/index.htm

CTAC athletes wrapped up action at the AO Winter Prep Meet January 22. The meet was held at the Toronto Track & Field Centre, York University.
Development Group athletes combined for four top-10 finishes at the meet. Congratulations Noa (2nd 400m), Isabel (3rd 400m), Madeleind (4th 400m) and Ethan (6th 400m). Not to be outdone, the high school group women placed three athletes in the top-6 of the 1000m. Congratulations Morgan (2nd), Kieva (5th) and Quinn (6th). Additionally, in the men’s 1000m, CTAC placed four athletes in the top-12. Congratulations JacobS. (7th), Quinlan (10th), Evan (11th) and Ethan (12th). Next race is the Youngstown State University HS Meet February 4th.  
Congratulations all!

We are delighted to announce that our Winter Intro Program is now open for registration. The program is intended to introduce younger athletes in grade 4 & 5 to a fitness group and will incorporate age-appropriate exercises. And more importantly, it will be a lot of FUN!

Recognizing young athletes are likely participating in other sports, we are offering the Intro Group twice a week after school (Monday and Wednesday). The training will supplement what athletes might already be doing and expose them to the fun and fitness that can come from running.

The program will start at an introductory level.  Over time, the athletes will be introduced to slightly more challenging activities and will have an opportunity to go at their own pace.

The location of the winter program is Monarch Park Stadium (indoor track) located at 1 Parkmount Road, Toronto, ON.

Program Details: 9 Weeks

Start Date: January 16, 2023

End Date: March 22, 2023 (March Break March 13-17)

Time: 5:30 – 6:30 pm

Final Meet: Athletics Ontario Rising Stars Festival

Location: Monarch Park Stadium, 1 Parkmount Road, Toronto, ON

Fee: $400 (includes Monarch Park Stadium facility fee)

For more information on registration, please contact our club manager, Pam Anderson at info@centraltorontoac.ca.

The return to indoor training, starting December 5, presents some exciting opportunities for CTAC athletes.  Among them, a team trip to Youngstown State University February 4 for the YSU Indoor High School/Open/Jr High Invitational.  All interested athletes are welcome to compete as there are no entry standards.  It promises to be a lot of fun racing, and team building, experience.  Details are below.

• Travel by coach bus departing February 3, returning immediately after our last event February 4, athlete/family share of cost $125.
• Parents are welcome to travel with the team at no extra cost. 
• Accommodations at the Best Western Boardman Inn ($180 CAD), double occupancy for athletes, or per family.  
• Entry fee, $17 CAD per event.
• Athletes race in sections/heats with athletes having similar seed times.

To ensure we have enough athletes to make the excursion viable, we are asking athletes/parents to confirm participation by December 20 with a non-refundable deposit of $50.    

For further information please see the attached.

Congratulations to all who raced the Canadian Cross Country Championships in Ottawa!  It was a difficult race but our crew rose to the occasion.  There were many highlights including Maeve’s 19^th placing in the U20W event, Morgan’s 41^st placing to lead the U18G, and the 10^th place team finish for the U18B.  Of special significance was the return of 3 athletes attending university to race for CTAC; Maeve, Parker and Adam.  Great job everyone!  As always, I am extremely proud of our athletes and their efforts throughout the cross-country season!  

Special thanks to all the parents who made the trek to Ottawa.  Your cheering, support and assistance is always appreciated!!

Now onto the indoor season where we have some exciting racing prospects!  

The country’s best cross country racers will heat up the trails of our Nation’s Capital for the 2022 Canadian Cross Country Championships, to be held November 26. The second edition of the national cross country championships hosted in Ottawa will be held at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility and Mooney’s Bay. Use this link for a video preview of the course. The course map can also be found below.

That was some weekend of racing for CTAC at the AO Cross-Country Championships.  We were so close to the podium with three teams.  Both the U16G and U18B finished 4th, and the U14B finished tied for 4th. Perhaps the medals were not there but all either matched or had their best race of the year measured by pace per kilometer.  Individually, shout outs to Morgan and Kieva who finished 8^th and 9^th in the U16G race, Oliver 10th & William 11th U14B, Sho 19^th U18B, Kyrie 20^th U16B, Quinn leading the U18G with her 27^th place finish and Chloe leading the U14G with her 30th place finish. Congratulations all! The RMC course is unforgiving with its many turns and lightly rolling terrain always breaking up your rhythm.  It’s hard to get a flow.  Remarkable job everyone!! It was a fun weekend of team bonding and racing.

Forty-four CTAC athletes travel to Kingston Ontario for the 2022 Athletics Ontario Cross Country Championships. The race will be held on the Fort Henry course, a rolling and technical style course. CTAC features teams in each of the Boys and Girls U14, U16 and U18 events. Additionally, former captain Caleigh Pribaz returns to race for her home club in the Women’s U20. And not to be missed Avery Walker will represent the Intro Group in the U12. Use the link below for live results. https://athleticsontario.ca/stats/results/

Congratulations to our crew who raced the OFSAA Cross Country Championships yesterday!  It was a beautiful day, perhaps a little too warm for some.  The Dagmar course was tough but fair.  In all my experience coaching XC in Canada and internationally, I’ve never seen courses as challenging as OFSAA.  Five CTAC athletes finished in the Top 50.  No small feat at OFSAA XC.  Morgan led the way placing 12th in the JG, Kyrie was 29th in the NB, Quinn 33rd SG, Curtis 48th SB and Kieva 49th in the NG.  Also, members of our group contributed significantly in the team results.  Liam was the 3rd scorer on the Trinity Bronze Medal Team.  Awesome job everyone!!  We’re just warming up for the AO Championships in Kingston!!