By RB Burton
GRIMSBY—For the fourth year in a row, Southward Community Park in Grimsby was the site for the Golden Horseshoe Invitational Cross Country meet.
2023 saw a jump in registrations, as more than 900 athletes from Ontario Christian schools, academies, and home-schooling groups made the journey to the rural setting on the top of the escarpment. 2024, however, saw an even larger entry, as the meet topped the 1,200 mark for the first time.
Jarvis Community Christian School wasted no time letting everyone know they were there, winning the team title in the very first race over 1500m for girls Grades 3 and 4 (aged 9 and under by December 31).
JCCS student Emma Kraay was fourth, followed by Freedom McPherson in fifth, Lucy Epp in 19th, and Claire Veurink in 34th, for a points total of 62. Team placements are decided by adding together the finishing positions of a group’s first four finishers; the lower the total the better. The second-place team had a total of 84.
Unfortunately, that would be the only team title to be won by Haldimand schools, represented by Jarvis and Dunnville Christian School. However, Audrey Dekker from Jarvis proved to be unbeatable in the girls 2000m for Grades 5 and 6, crossing the finish line before the second runner came within shouting distance.
Cairn Christian School of Stoney Creek was the local host and, together with Brantford Christian School, offered the annual set of races for as little as $60 for up to 20 athletes. Up to 40 athletes was $90, and more than 40 was $120.
Held on the second Thursday in October, the meet also provides a concession stand selling pizza, Gatorade, water, and candy, with the proceeds going to Lagosette Christian School in Haiti.
