Edmonton chosen for Age Group Cross National Championships
Edmonton will again see thousands of athletes descend on the city for another championships
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Photo: Janos Schmidt / ITU Media
One of the most historic race venues in Canadian triathlon is hosting this year’s Age Group Cross National Championships. The same site that has seen decades of elites and pros race in its famed river valley, Edmonton, Alberta welcomes the competition back August 23-25.
With its intricate trail system, the northern city offers an enticing venue in the heart of downtown parks area along the North Saskatchewan river.
Three 2026 Age Group World Triathlon Multisport Championship spots will be awarded to the top finishers in each age category. Next year’s multisport world championships is in Abu Dhabi. Athletes interested in claiming a spot must fill out an Expression of Interest before the race, which is done through Triathlon Canada’s website within one week of the event.
Athletes not wishing to claim a spot for the 2026 championships can still race the cross triathlon.
Experience and tradition in Edmonton
Organizers at Do North Events bring years of experience with their strong ties to World Triathlon. The area has been the site of past World Triathlon Champion Series racing, including hosting the Grand Final in 2014 and 2021. Over the years it has welcomed all the greats from Canada as well as Olympians from around the world.
In 2027, it is the chosen site of the Age Group World Triathlon Multisport Championships, announced back in 2023.
Related story: Edmonton awarded 2027 World Triathlon Multisport Championships
The 2025 Do North Tri & Trail offers road races in addition to its championship trail race. The event brings back its classic age group sprint race on the Saturday, along with team and junior triathlon events. Sunday is dedicated to the trails with the championship race first up, followed by a DO-athlon.
Changes to the historic course
A notable change this year is the venue site. Due to construction at its long-held location in Hawrelak Park, races is taking place at Kinsmen Park. The swim will no longer be open water. Athletes will instead do the first leg of the race in the Queen Elizabeth outdoor pool. The bike and run courses take athletes across the Walterdale bridge and into the river valley below.
The cross course starts in the pool before athletes head out on their mountain bikes along the intricate trail system right in the heart of the city. The run continues along the scenic trail routes with views of the valley and cityscape.
New team race this year
The team triathlon is new this year. The distance is a friendly 350m pool swim, 10km bike and 3km run. Athletes as young as 14 can participate. The junior triathlon is similar, with a slightly shorter 2.5km run and is draft legal.
Fans of the sport have flocked to the venue to see their favourite elite, pro, friends and family compete over the years. Easily accessible and close to all amenities, the race is a fun, spectator-friendly weekend.
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