The air at Mount St. Louis Moonstone crackled with cheers as over a thousand young runners sprinted toward the finish, their faces etched with determination and hope for gold.
Simcoe County’s regional cross-country championship transformed the ski slopes north of Barrie into the site of one of the county’s most anticipated youth sporting events. Over two weeks, students from dozens of elementary schools earned the right to compete, culminating in a finale that brought together the fastest from grades 4 through 8.
The sheer scale of the event left its mark: more than a thousand participants, hundreds of spectators, and a logistical ballet choreographed by staff, volunteers, and school boards. Melanie Ewaskiw of Clearview Meadows Elementary, one of the organizers, noted the event’s unique energy, crediting the camaraderie among teachers, parents, and volunteers for its success.
“There’s more students here, and they’d be the top from every school, so it’s more competitive,” Ewaskiw observed, capturing the blend of nervous excitement and ambition that fuelled the day. She pointed out the inclusiveness—cross-country’s rare ability to welcome any child willing to try, regardless of prior experience or skill.
Mount St. Louis Moonstone, with its ample parking and rolling terrain, proved an ideal venue. Despite muddy patches and a biting chill, spirits held steady. “The weather does play a part in the course as it can be pretty muddy… but no missing shoes this year,” Ewaskiw joked.
For participants, the challenge was as much mental as physical. Ollie Roweothan, a Grade 5 student, defended his title on a tougher, hillier course, with Hugo Martinek—a soccer teammate—close on his heels. “I learned I had to go faster a little bit sooner,” Roweothan explained. Martinek, who finished just behind, said, “It was harder than I expected, the uphill, and there were a lot of people.”
The appeal of cross-country, as organizers and students echoed, lies in perseverance and the thrill of shared effort. Scot Gorecki, an official from the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, summed up its draw simply: accessibility and grit. Running on trails, against the odds and the elements, requires little more than sturdy shoes and tenacity.
As groups of children surged across the finish line, every cheer affirmed the value of participation over podiums. Victories were measured not just in medals, but in new friendships, personal bests, and the quiet pride of having tried. For Simcoe County’s young athletes, the race may be over, but the lessons endure.
References:
Top local students race for gold at regional cross-country event (8 photos)
Inaugural elementary cross-country meet hits the ground running
