UPEI Cross Country take over Gold Cup Trot reins

Mike Peterson, head coach of the UPEI Cross Country team, is pleased to announce that they will be taking over the management of one of Atlantic Canada's most popular and fastest 5km road races.

August 10, 2023

Mike Peterson, head coach of the UPEI Cross Country team, is pleased to announce that they will be taking over the management of one of Atlantic Canada's most popular and fastest 5km road races. The Gold Cup Trot, which takes place August 18, is a local favourite, as participants get to run along a portion of the parade route just minutes ahead of the first float. The crowds are large and vocal, cheering on the runners chasing that summer personal best.

The flat course usually results in fast times. The current course record for males is 14:38, held by former Panther standout Lee Wesselius, who has become one of the top marathon runners in Canada, recently running 2:18:26 in Ottawa. Local standout Maddy Crowell, an AUS all-star at Dalhousie University, holds the female record of 18:41. Crowell and current UPEI AUS all-star Katie Richard will take on the course this year. Top males expected to run include local standouts Nick Robertson and Michael Rogers. Defending champion Jack Roberts of the Panthers will be lacing them up as well. Anyone who breaks either of these records will earn themselves $100 bonus on top of their podium prizes, which will be donated by Brian King at Ladner's Source for Sports. There will also be plenty of door prizes for the rest of the field to potentially take home.

Proceeds go to the UPEI Cross Country team to help with recruiting, logistics and travel, including to London, Ontario for U SPORTS nationals and Ottawa for ACXC nationals.

Due to the change in the parade route, there will also be a small change to the race route. Details are still being finalized but will be available shortly.