The Cochrane Endurance Project (CEPR) has found a new home to mark the return of its cross-country open, thanks to a collaboration with the Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre and Bike Cochrane.
On Sept. 14, 38 athletes from seven clubs became the first to test the new courses that incorporated portions of the Brother Sun and Sister Moon trails of Bike Cochrane. It's all located on lands of the retreat centre.
The club held its last open event on the grounds of the Cochrane & District Agricultural Society prior to the pandemic.
"Most recently, we were looking to set up an event that we could host as a club in a sustainable way here in Cochrane," says Graham Torrie, of the Endurance Project.
"The venue here at on the Mount Saint Francis Land just checks all the boxes. It's got beautiful scenery and hills and so we were excited to be able to be granted an opportunity to put on a race." - Graham Torrie
He says it's a story of collaboration.
"Bike Cochrane has been a steward of the trails and managing the liability of the trails for Mount Saint Francis, and as a result, that relationship really laid the groundwork of exploring opportunities to maybe host events and open up the possibilities of what this land could be used for in the community."
Abby Torrie finished over a minute ahead of pack in U14 girls. Maelle Drebert, from Leduc Track and Field, was second followed by CEPR runners Julia Fraser, Jillian Roberts and Anaya Bruce.
In the high school/women's event, Kayley Torrie was also a full minute ahead of the field. Esme Sinke of the Calgary Spartans was second, followed by CEPR's Frankie Wiest, Rose Fraser and Zoella Labonte, Peyton Les of the CALTAF, CEPR's Zoe Bushrod and Spartan Mria Fernandez.
Yona Bahta, of the Spartans won the high school/men's event, crossed the finished line first, two seconds ahead of second place Mohammad Abukar, of Go Athletics, and five seconds ahead of CEPR's Raima Sollitt.
Endurance Project athlete Eli Torrie was fifth, Eddie MacMillan was seventh, Ryden Bruce 12th, Roman Lang 16th, and Brady Malley 17th.
The Cochrane teams were the top teams in all three events.
