GUELPH, Ont. - The University of Guelph will play host to many of the country's elite distance runners Friday (Oct. 14) and Saturday (Oct. 15) at the New Balance Vic Matthews Open.  

The race at the University of Guelph Arboretum will be part of a weekend of racing which will feature the first ever New Balance Vic Matthews High School Open on Friday, the New Balance Vic Matthews Open, the Bracelet for Hope Trail Half Marathon and Falling Leaves Trail Run on Saturday.  
 
The top ranked Gryphons will take on six of the top ten men's teams in the CIS including the number two ranked Windsor Lancers, fourth ranked Queens Gaels, fifth ranked McMaster Marauders and seventh ranked Regina Cougars.  

The field will also boast Olympian Taylor Milne and national team members Kyle Boorsma, Matt Brunsting and Saheed Khan.   In addition to the CIS teams the Eastern Michigan Eagles will make the trip north as well as the Detroit Mercy Titans.  

The women's side will also feature a loaded field including four ranked teams led by the top ranked hosts and number two McMaster Marauders.  Like the men, the women will also feature several athletes who have represented Canada internationally led by locals Dana Buchanan and Meredith MacGregor.  
 
Friday's action will start at 10:30 am and will feature local schools Guelph CVI, John F Ross and Erin DHS taking on arguably the top program in the province in Windsor's Vincent Massey.   Teams from Windsor, Niagara, Toronto and Hamilton are expected for the meet.
 
The action on Saturday will start with Half Marathon at 8:30 am, the Vic Matthews races will start at 11:30 with the women's 5km race, the men will follow at 12:15 pm.
 
Source: Chris Moulton