A local two-time Olympian and coach with the University of Victoria will be coaching Team Canada this month at the Pan American Cross-Country Championship on Bear Mountain.

Last week Athletics Canada announced that Vikes cross country and track head coach Hilary Stellingwerff earned a spot as a coach for Team Canada.

Stellingwerff competed on the national team 10 times as a distance runner, running in the World Championships and twice in the Olympics, but never the Pan Am Games.

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B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really an honour to be selected as a coach and carry over my experience as an athlete,B次元官网网址� Stellingwerff said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice to translate that into a national experience.B次元官网网址�

Stellingwerff will be working with both menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 junior (U22) and senior programs under head coach Glenroy Gilbert, who won gold in the 1996 Summer Olympics as a member of a 4x100-metre relay team.

Senior teams will be competing on a 10-kilometre track, while the junior men run an 8 km race and the junior women compete at a 6 km distance.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 neat to get athletes form all over Canada together and see how they workB次元官网网址�and come together as a team.B次元官网网址�

SheB次元官网网址檚 also looking forward to coaching athletes from around the world on home soil.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 the home field advantage for sure,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really special.B次元官网网址�

The 2020 Pan Am Cross Country Championship is on Saturday, Feb. 29 in Langford. The event will include runners from around the world and will also provide kids, youth and community races.

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In a statement, VICCA committee member Bob Reid said an B次元官网网址渆xperienced and conscientious organizing teamB次元官网网址� is working to ensure the event will be successful and supported by running groups across the Island.

B次元官网网址淚t is the first step in showcasing VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 ability to stage a first-class cross country event to the world in hopes of applying for the World Cross Country Championships in 2023.B次元官网网址�