October 14, 2023 | Crescent Park
Crescent Park, in South Surrey was the location for yet another cross country race this season, and it just so happened to be the BC Athletics Provincial XC Championships. With the season heating up, especially in each specific league around British Columbia, it was great to get a break from the high school action and get a glimpse into the club season. Each age division showed a lot of competitive promise in the championship preview and the racers did not disappoint. Some athletes defended their titles, while in other categories new champions were crowned, and not to mention there were a few tight finishes which added to the excitement of the day!
With 588 participants, let's get into just some of the highlights and take a look at all of the podium finishers.
Full Results | Over 1700 Photos | Race Footage
In yet another race this season, Maella Hodgson took top spot. Hodgson, who recently announced her commitment to Oregon State University, won the Women's U18 5000m race with a time of 17:45.3, upgrading her bronze from last year. She was pushed by a group of talented girls, including Alexa Dow, who represented Canada at the Commonwealth Youth Games this past summer. Dow, in her first year in the U18 division, placed second, running a time of 17:52.7. Delphine Gosselin rounded out the podium with a time of 18:17.7 and she was followed closely by Chloe Symon, another Team Canada member. Symon, who runs the 400m, 800m and 1500m on the track and who won the NACAC U18 400m title just a few months ago, showed her range as she took on the longer distances of cross country.
It was just as exciting in the Men's U18 5000m race. Charlie Mlotshwa, who won the U16 title last year, took first place with a time of 15:36.0. He narrowly edged out James Hodgson who ran 15:40.4. Kai Martland of the Vancouver Thunderbirds took the last podium spot with a time of 15:46.0. Tyler Browne, who wore the Maple Leaf across his chest this summer placed fourth, completing the course in 15:48.0. With such a tight battle, we can't wait to see what will unfold at the BC High School XC Championships which will take place in early November.
Moving on to the U16 division Adrianna Buitelaar showed her dominance across the 3000m course, winning the race by over 30 seconds. Buitelaar of the Valley Royals Track and Field Club claimed silver in the Junior Girls 1500m at the 2023 BC High School Track and Field Championships with a time of 4:35.92. She was second to Dow's winning time of 4:29.36. Maya Royle, who was also in the 1500m final, placed second behind Buitelaar in Saturday's race with a time of 11:13.0. Ava Gauthier came in third with a time of 11:24.2. In a close battle in the Men's U16 3000m, Jericho Geddes came out victorious with a time of 9:25.5, edging out Riley Simmonds by just over a second. Simmonds came through with a time of 9:26.9 and Miles Hayden took the bronze with a time of 9:34.1.