Athletic Standards

For considered entry based on the time standards below, athletes must apply for elite status, via the elite application before the event deadline dates.

WOMEN / FEMMES 5K 8K 10K 21.1K 42.2K
A Standard 16:30 27:30 34:00 1:16:00 2:35:00
B Standard 18:30 30:30 38:00 1:22:00 2:50:00
Masters 19:30 32:00 40:00 1:24:00 2:55:00
MEN / HOMMES 5K 8K 10K 21.1K 42.2K
A Standard 14:30 24:00 30:00 1:05:00 2:15:00
B Standard 15:30 26:00 32:00 1:10:00 2:25:00
Masters 17:00 28:00 35:00 1:15:00 2:35:00

Application Form

Athlete selection and notification period will vary. All application deadlines will be exactly 1 month prior to the Event Date. Best efforts will be made to offer early acceptance where possible.

We do not accept emails or telephone calls. Only applications submitted through the online elite application form are considered, but please note we do NOT issue invitations for athletes requiring a VISA to attend this event.

All qualifying times submitted must have been run on a certified course and most recent performances will be given preference. Please note that achievement of time standards does NOT guarantee an invitation. We will do our best to accommodate as many Elite Athletes as possible, but we are working with a reduced budget as we all recover from the pandemic.

At CRS Events, we encourage individuals to participate and compete as they identify. Participants who identify as man or woman are eligible for prizing if they place in their gender identification category. In certain Championship Races or World Athletic Categorized events, we adhere to the WA Gender Eligibility Regulations.

All applications must be approved by the CRS Race Director and Elite Athlete Coordinator (elite@canadarunningseries.com).

APPLY NOW

Prize Money

All values are in CDN $.

Canadian Elite Athletes

All prize money is restricted to Canadian athletes only and will be awarded based on gun time. Athletes in the Elite Field will NOT be eligible for Open prize money.

Event 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place 5th Place
Spring Run-Off $500.00 $300.00 $100.00 - -
21K de Montréal $500.00 $300.00 $100.00 - -
Under Armour Toronto 10K* $1000.00 $750.00 $500.00 $250.00 -
Vancouver Half Marathon $1000.00 $600.00 $400.00 - -
Under Armour Eastside 10K $1000.00 $600.00 $400.00 - -
Zoo Run - - - - -

*denotes a race which is part of the Athletics Canada Road Race Label Program in 2024.

Masters Athletes

Masters prize money is open to any runners in the elite field that are 40 years and older on race day.

Event 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place 5th Place
Spring Run-Off $200.00 $150.00 $100.00 - -
21K de Montréal $200.00 $150.00 $100.00 - -
Under Armour Toronto 10K $200.00 $150.00 $100.00 - -
Vancouver Half Marathon $200.00 $150.00 $100.00 - -
Under Armour Eastside 10K $200.00 $150.00 $100.00 - -
Zoo Run - - - - -

Open Prize Money

Open prize money is open to all participants not in the elite field, for Men’s, Women’s and Non-Binary categories.

Event 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place 5th Place
Under Armour Toronto 10K $200.00 $150.00 $100.00 - -
Vancouver Half Marathon $200.00 $150.00 $100.00 - -
Under Armour Eastside 10K $200.00 $150.00 $100.00 - -
  • “Canadian” is defined as: Citizens; Permanent Residents; and Refugees with official status who have been domiciled in Canada for at least one year (proof may be required).
  • Prize money winners in the Canadian and Masters categories can double dip and collect prizing in both categories.
  • Athletes accepted into the Elite Field are ineligible for Open prize money and/or Age Category Prizing.
  • Non-Elite Athletes who win prize money are ineligible for Age Category Prizing.

Prize Policy

Results will be reviewed for one week following the event. During these seven days athletes are able to lodge a formal, written protest to the race director for review. After the week, results will be finalized and prizing cheques issued. Prize cheques will not be distributed on event day; letters of congratulations will be issued day of race.

Series Points & Standings

*UPDATE: Due to current circumstances, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the Canada Running Series Points for the 2024 Event Season. We look forward to an amazing season of racing and look forward to bringing the National Series back in future years.

National Scoring

National Elite Athletes compete on a points system-based competition for the top 10 Men’s & Women’s Open and Masters runners in CRS events. The top 10 open and masters men’s and women’s runners in the featured distance at each event will collect points based on their placement:

1st=30 pts
2nd=26 pts
3rd=22 pts
4th=18 pts
5th=14 pts
6th=10 pts
7th=8 pts
8th=6 pts
9th=4 pts
10th=2 pts

Each event scores according to the multiplier below:

Spring Run-Off 8K: 1.5x
Spring Run-Off 5K: 1x
21K de Montréal: 1.5x
10K de Montréal: 1x
UA Toronto 10K: 2x
Vancouver Half Marathon: 1.5x
UA Eastside 10K: 2x
Oasis ZooRun 10K: 1x
TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon: 2x
TCS Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon: 1x
TCS Toronto Waterfront 5K: 1x

A runner’s best 3 performances count in the final standings. Example: If you finished as the Women’s 2nd overall in the Vancouver Half-Marathon you would receive 39 points; Women’s 2nd overall  in Spring Run-Off 8K would receive 26 points.

  • A maximum of 2 races from your province/region of residence are counted.

Tie breaking rules are as follows. If individuals are tied on points after their best 3 performances, head-to-head competition will determine 1st vs. 2nd, etc. In the event that this does not break the tie, the Mercier Scoring Tables (for comparative performances) will be used to score the individuals’ best 3 performances and the combined points total winner will be declared the winner.

To be eligible for points you must be a Canadian Citizen, Landed Immigrant or have had Canadian refugee status for at least 12 months.

Appeals of Series Standings

Updated Canada Running Series Standings will be posted following each race. Once posted individuals will then have 7 days to appeal the standings, in writing, to appeals@canadarunningseries.com, after which time standings will become official and final.

National Series Prizing 2019

Open Canadian
Men & Women

Masters (40+ for each event)
Men & Women
Place Prize Money Place Prize Money
1st $3000 1st $500
2nd $1500 2nd $300
3rd $1000 3rd $200
4th $500
5th $300

Series Standings

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014