Gunner Shaw Memorial Cross Country Race, Vancouver BC, Canada

Organized by the
Lions Gate Road Runners

Gunner Shaw Memorial Cross Country

Gunner Shaw was a well-known and respected BC runner who passed away in 1984 at the age of 39 as the result of a car accident.

He is remembered by our cross-country race and by its counterpart in Victoria, organized by the Prairie Inn Harriers club.

2006 YouTube slideshow

"I love running cross country. On a track I feel like a hamster"
- Robin Williams

"The freedom of cross country is so primitive - it is woman versus Nature"
- Lynn Jennings

"Stadiums are for spectators. We runners have nature and that is much better"
- Juha Vaatainen

"I really like cross country; you're one with the mud"
- Lynn Jennings

"We run because we like it
Through the broad bright land"
- Charles Hamilton Sorley

Welcome to the 26th annual running of this classic Vancouver race. The Gunner Shaw is known for its challenging, traditional-style cross-country course and for its post-race food and company.

Final race in the 2009 BC Athletics Lower Mainland Cross Country Series

2009 Results - 2009 Race Photos 1 2009 Race Photos 2

Start:
11:00am, Saturday December 5th, 2009

Location:
Jericho Park. Registration is at the Jericho Sailing Centre, 1300 Discovery Street, Vancouver BC. Drive west along 4th Avenue for about 1 Km past Alma Street and take the right fork at the Youth Hostel.

The start and finish are in front of the Sailing Centre near the beach.

Click here for a location map.

Course:
A classic cross-country course which includes sections of grass, trail, hills and sandy beach. Depending on weather conditions you can expect varying amounts of mud and water (but always some!). Shoes with good mud traction are recommended. Spikes are optional.

Seniors run two laps and Juniors one lap of the 5km course.

Update: The course will be the same as always - and as long as we can keep the sun away for another week it will be the muddiest we have seen in recent years.

Click here for the course map.

Entry:
Online entry is available by following this link to Running Room web site. Or you can register by completing and mailing this printable entry form to:
Roger Brownsey
Suite 503 - 2409 West 43rd Ave
Vancouver BC, V6M 4E6.

Day of Race Registration:
Saturday December 5th inside the Sailing Centre. In the unlikely event of sunshine, we may be outside!

Post Race Festivities:
Hot showers, good food and good company in the Jericho Sailing Centre after the race.

Awards:
A combination of medals, ribbons and small gifts will be awarded to the top three runners in the Senior 10km (5yr divisions) and Junior 5km (2yr divisions).

Special recognition will be given to the winners of the Gunner Shaw Trophies (male, female over 35), the "Gunner Shaw Team Challenge" and the "Silver Fox" Junior Challenge

The "Silver Fox" trophy is awarded in memory of former Lions Gate Road Runner stalwart Jim Conway, who was affectionately known as "The Silver Fox".
Jim loved cross-country running and was no mean competitor himself.

This race is sanctioned by

Special thanks to:
Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
St John Ambulance
Our hard-working volunteers

For any questions contact:
Roger Brownsey (604) 822-3810 (during working hours) or by email

Our thanks to these companies whose generous sponsorship contributes to the success of this event.

The World Masters Indoor Athletics Championships in Kamloops next March includes a Cross Country event! This is open to all Masters runners (CMAA membership required).

See the event website for details.