Blazers Athletics expand with the introduction of cross-country
CMU Blazers Athletics is expanding athletic opportunities for student athletes with the addition of a varsity cross-country running program.
"The new cross-country programming will provide a more dedicated wellness community on campus, creating more opportunity for inclusion within our varsity sports offerings," Russell Willms, Director of Athletics, says.
"It will provide an opportunity for students to be involved in a competitive running team, but it also allows them to be introduced to the broader running community,"
Training and athletic recruitment will begin in January 2026, with the program entering competition in Fall 2026. Student athletes will belong as members of Athletics Manitoba, allowing them to participate in running competitions beyond cross country within the province and the country.
CMU Blazers is the second member of the Manitoba Colleges Athletics Conference to announce cross-country programming, following the Providence Pilots, who announced in early November.
Willms says CMU is uniquely positioned within the city for cross-country training and club running. Nestled between the Assiniboine Forest and Assiniboine Park, the CMU campus offers access to North America's largest urban forest, with over 20 kilometres of trails just steps from the residence.
Although often seen as a solitary activity, Willms says this provides an excellent new opportunity for connection and new athletics programming expands on the mission of Blazers Athletics: to make sports a space for connections, unity, energy, and success in both competition and academics.
"A cross-country program will create a whole new wellness community on our campus–a place where competitive athletes, recreational runners and alumni can come together. I believe this program will provide a new opportunity for the community, beyond those who compete for CMU."
Blazers Athletics is currently seeking applications for head coach of the new varsity cross-country program. Interested applicants can find the job description and how to apply at: cmu.ca/employment.
