Canadian Track and Field Championships
Annual track and field competition in Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Canadian Track and Field Championships is an annual outdoor track and field competition organized by Athletics Canada, which serves as the Canadian national championships for the sport. The championships serve as part of the selection process for Canadian teams at the Olympic Games, World Athletics Championships, Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games, and NACAC Championships.
competitionsCanadian Indoor Track and Field Championships Canadian Junior Track and Field Championships
| |
| Sport | Track and field |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1884 |
| Country | Canada |
| Related competitions | Canadian Indoor Track and Field Championships Canadian Junior Track and Field Championships |
| Official website | Athletics.ca |
The most recent edition of the competition took place in Montreal, Quebec and served as the Paralympic and Olympic trials for the 2024 Paris Games. The next edition is set to take place in Ottawa, Ontario and will serve as part of the selection process for the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
History
The Canadian Track and Field Championships began in 1884 under the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada, during a time when organized sport in the country was still in its infancy.[1] The early decades, from the 1880s to the 1910s, were marked by amateurism and limited participation, though the event quickly established itself as the key national competition for Canadian athletes. Despite interruptions caused by World War I, the Championships grew steadily in influence.[2]
In the 1920s and 1930s, the Championships helped launch the careers of athletes like Olympic sprint champion Percy Williams. The event became more structured and competitive, although economic hardship during the Great Depression posed challenges for athlete development. After a pause during World War II, the Championships resumed in the 1940s and saw significant growth in the 1950s, with broader participation across provinces and a slow increase in women’s involvement.[3]
The 1960s and 1970s were transitional decades. The Championships became more professional in structure and began reflecting the modernization of global athletics. Athletes like Bruce Kidd rose to prominence, while debates over amateurism and athlete rights gained attention. In the 1980s, the Championships became more integrated with Canada’s international ambitions. Though overshadowed by the Ben Johnson doping scandal in 1988, the decade also featured the rise of world-class Canadian talent.
The 1990s focused on rebuilding the sport’s image, with Donovan Bailey’s 1996 Olympic success becoming a highlight. The Championships were increasingly used as selection trials for major events like the Olympics and World Championships. In the 2000s, improved infrastructure, coaching, and athlete funding elevated the competition’s standards, helping athletes like Perdita Felicien and Tyler Christopher excel.
During the 2010s, the Championships became more inclusive and better promoted, serving as a platform for stars such as Andre De Grasse, Melissa Bishop, and Damian Warner. Community engagement and gender equity became stronger priorities. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the 2020 event, but by the 2020s, the Championships returned with renewed energy. Recent editions in Langley, BC have reaffirmed their role as a top-tier national trial event and a key part of Canada’s global track and field presence.
Events
Track Events
- Sprints: 100 m, 200 m, 400 m
- Middle distance: 800 m, 1500 m
- Long distance: 5000 m, 10,000 m
- Hurdles: 100 m hurdles (women) / 110 m hurdles (men), 400 m hurdles
- Steeplechase: 3000 m
- Race walk: 20 km race walk events for men & women
- Relays: typically 4×100 m and 4×400 m finals
Field Events
- Jumps: Long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault
- Throws: Shot put, discus throw, hammer throw, javelin throw
Combined Events
- Decathlon (men) — 10 events conducted over two days
- Heptathlon (women) — 7 events over two days
Para Athletics (Para‑Athletes)
Para-specific track and field events are incorporated across the schedule—for wheelchair racing, ambulatory track, and field events across functional classifications. These include sprint distances, throws, and jumps tailored to classification groups. Para combined events may also be included depending on entries