60th Annual Autumn Cross Country Classic
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Hawrelak Park | Edmonton, Alberta
🏃♀️🏃♂️ The Autumn Cross Country Classic is back at Hawrelak Park!
Formerly known as the CAPHERD Cross Country Race, the Autumn Cross Country Classic has been a highlight for generations of young runners for 60 years. We are excited to welcome schools, individual runners, families, friends, and volunteers back to Hawrelak Park for a day of competition, community, and lasting memories.
This year marks the first Autumn Classic at Hawrelak Park following its reopening. Expect the traditional cross-country experience, revitalized green spaces, upgraded park amenities, and an improved finish area.
Registration Is Now Open
Early bird ends Wednesday September 30 at midnight. Register Now before it ends.
Other registration options and instructions can be found at ellistiming.ca as well as the Technical Package and Schedule.
Registration & Pricing
All youth age categories follow the same pricing.
| Registration period | Entry fee |
|---|---|
| 💥 Early bird — Ends Midnight September 30 | $10 |
| Regular — October 1–14 | $15 |
| Late entry — race day only | $20 |
| Teachers and parents — register anytime | $10 |
🗺️ Race Map
👕 60th Anniversary T-Shirt
Celebrate 60 years of the Autumn Cross Country Classic with our commemorative 60th Anniversary T-shirt.
T-shirt pre-orders close September 30 at midnight.
Order your T-shirt through the Jotform registration or, if you would like to order a T-shirt only, visit Ellis Timing .
Event Highlights
🏁 Classic cross-country distances with an updated course and enhanced finish area.
🎪 Centralized event hub for registration and results
🌭 Food vendors, school gathering spaces, and family-friendly spectator areas
🙌 Volunteer opportunities to support Alberta’s young runners
✅ Sanctioned and insured through Athletics Alberta
New for 2026: School Participation Awards
🏆 The three schools with the most registered participants will receive complimentary entries for the 2027 Autumn Cross Country Classic.
| Place | Prize |
| 🥇First | 7 Complimentary entries |
| 🥈Second | 5 Complimentary entries |
| 🥉Third | 3 Complimentary entries |
#yegautumnclassiccontest Instagram Contest 2026
- Who can enter: teachers/coaches, parents/guardians, and students
- How to enter: post an original Autumn Classic photo/video on Instagram
- Tag
@inspiring_athletics_ab - Use
#yegautumnclassiccontest - Contest period: Oct. 17–18, 2026 until 11:59 p.m.
- Prize: $50 Running Room gift card
- One entry per Instagram account
- Winner announced Oct. 19, 2026
Volunteers
Large events are made possible by dedicated volunteers. If you would like to help create an exceptional experience for young athletes, families, and schools, we would love to have you involved.
📬 Stay Up to Date
Want Autumn Classic updates delivered straight to your inbox?
Sign up for the Autumn Cross Country Classic newsletter to receive important event information, reminders, schedule updates, and other news as we get closer to race day.
We look forward to celebrating 60 years of cross-country tradition with you at Hawrelak Park!