Saturday, September 12, 2026
10:30 a.m.
MHC Main Campus, Medicine Hat, Alberta
Sponsored by
MHC Rattlers Athletics is pleased to welcome you to the ACAC Grand Prix 1B Cross Country Running race. It’s been four years since our college last hosted a cross-country race (the 2022 CCAA Nationals), and we are excited to again host the best college runners in the province in an early season competition on the road to the 2026 ACAC Conference meet in Red Deer, and the 2026 CCAA Nationals at Concordia in Edmonton.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, September 10, 2026
12 Noon ACAC Registration Deadline
11:59 p.m. High School/Community Registration Deadline
Saturday, September 12, 2026
10:30 a.m. ACAC Women/High School/Community 6 km (2 x 3km loop)
11:30 a.m. ACAC Men/High School/Community 6 km (2 x 3 km loop)
12:45 pm Awards (by the Start/Finish line)
- Race package bib pickup on site at MHC Fitness Centre front desk after 9 a.m.
- ACAC competitors must be registered by their schools before the deadline (see below for details.)
- Non ACAC runners (High School and Community runners) register online through Trackie. (see below for details.)
- Ribbons for the Top 5 runners in each category.
Contact
Bill Corcoran (Race Director) 780-538-2369 or bcorcoran@mhc.ab.ca
Terry Ballard (Athletic Director) 403-529-4823 or tballard@mhc.ab.ca
Meet Hotel – Medicine Hat Lodge
$129 + taxes per night for a standard room with two queen beds. To book contact groups@medhatlodge.com. The hotel is located within a 5-minute walk of the Medicine Hat Mall and a 10-minute drive from Medicine Hat College. The hotel offers a hot continental breakfast.
Directions to Medicine Hat College
From HWY 1, take the College Ave exit and then …
• Head north on College Ave and turn left at the third exit – the main entrance into MHC – on to College Drive.
• Go right at the traffic circle and then park in the lots adjacent to the soccer field … or wherever else you can find a spot.
• Parking on campus is free.
Timing and Results
The races will be hand timed using a printing stopwatch. The finish will be videoed for back up results if needed.
A paper copy of the results will be posted near the lap/finish split within 45 minutes of the last finisher of each race. A paper copy of the results will also available after both the men’s and women’s races for each ACAC school. Results will be posted electronically at https://rattlersrunning.ca/2026-acac-xc-running-grand-prix-1b/ on Saturday afternoon and on the ACAC website on Monday.
Course Description
The course loops around the perimeter of the scenic MHC Campus. The start and finish are behind the Coulee View residences. It’s a “championship style” course featuring both manicured and natural grass surfaces along with a few gravel paths. There are four small hills to traverse on the 3 km loop. The course is suitable for spikes (9mm).
To ensure clear navigation throughout the race, the course will be well marked and flagged. Runners can expect to see red flags positioned on the left side and green or blue flags on the right side, serving as visual guides to maintain the correct path and direction. In addition, there will be Course Marshals stationed on the course to direct runners if needed. Road and paved path crossings will have mats placed over the pavement/concrete.
The course loop is 3 km. The 6 km race will run two complete 3 km loops.
Facilities
Toilets and change rooms are available in the MHC main building.
Registration/Entry forms
- ACAC entries can be completed using the provided excel spreadsheet and e-mailed to bcorcoran@mhc.ab.ca by Thursday, September 10 at noon. ACAC schools will be invoiced $10 per runner post event.
- Community and High School entries can register online at Trackie by Thursday, September 10 at 11:59 a.m.
Rattlers Running 