Athlete's Guide to Athletics Canada Masters Track and Field Ages 35+ 2026

Qualifying standard: no. At a National Championship, as long as you are a member of Athletics Canada and meet the age requirement, you are eligible to compete. Visiting athletes from another country must be a member of their own national organization; if in doubt about eligibility, email masters@athletics.ca well in advance.

Age group: you compete in 5-year brackets (for example W55 or M60). Your age group for the entire meet is determined by your age on the first day of the championships.

Source: First-Timer's Guide: Athletics Canada Masters National Championships FAQ: https://athletics.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FAQ-for-Masters-Canadian-Championships.pdf

For 2026 Athletics Canada made these Canadian Championship Series events national championships for Masters age groups: the 10K (Ottawa, May 23), Trail Running (Quebec City, July 3-5), Half Marathon (Edmonton, August 16), 5K (Montreal, October 10), Mountain Running (Mont-Sainte-Anne, October 10-11) and Marathon (Toronto, October 18). Masters racers compete for national titles alongside their Open division counterparts. Competitors must have an active Athletics Canada membership and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Athletics Canada's events page also lists the 2026 Masters Track and Field Championships (Laval, QC, July 31 to August 2, 2026) and the Canadian Cross-Country Championships (Quebec City, November 28-29, 2026). The NCCMA Championships are in Calgary, August 19-22, 2027.

Sources: https://athletics.ca/blog/2026/03/12/masters-age-group-championships-make-their-debut-on-city-streets-and-mountain-peaks/ and https://athletics.ca/masters/masters-events/

No. Starting blocks are not mandatory for Masters athletes in sprint events. You can start in whichever way is most functional for you: blocks, a four-point start on the track, or a standing start.

Wearing spikes is also not mandatory: you may compete in running shoes or trainers. Where spikes are worn, most tracks require 6 mm or 7 mm pyramid spikes.

Source: First-Timer's Guide: Athletics Canada Masters National Championships FAQ: https://athletics.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FAQ-for-Masters-Canadian-Championships.pdf

• Throws, long jump and triple jump: you are guaranteed 3 attempts. If there are 8 or more competitors in your age group, the top 8 performers receive 3 additional attempts (6 in total). If there are fewer than 8 competitors in your age group, everyone receives 6 attempts.
• High jump and pole vault: the 3-or-6 attempts rule does not apply. You continue jumping until you record three consecutive misses.

Source: First-Timer's Guide: Athletics Canada Masters National Championships FAQ: https://athletics.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FAQ-for-Masters-Canadian-Championships.pdf

• Heats: in most Masters events a "heat" is actually a Timed Final, so your place and medal come from your time in that single race. If an age category has many entries after the registration deadline, a semi-final and/or final may be scheduled. The schedule posted first is preliminary and is adjusted once registration closes.
• Relays: indicate interest during registration. Official sign-up usually happens on-site by a deadline.
• Implements and poles: the organizing committee provides a small selection of vaulting poles and all standard weights. You may bring your own equipment, but it must be signed in before your event, and throwing implements must be weighed and certified by technical officials.
• Bib: you must pick up your athlete package and wear your bib to compete.
• Reporting times (general standards; your athlete package is the final authority): track events 20 to 30 minutes before your race at the Call Room; pole vault 60 minutes before the start; throws and jumps usually at the event site 45 minutes before the start.

Source: First-Timer's Guide: Athletics Canada Masters National Championships FAQ: https://athletics.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FAQ-for-Masters-Canadian-Championships.pdf

A scratch is a formal notification that you will not compete in an event you registered for. It lets officials re-seed heats so no lanes are left empty. If you simply do not show up, you are listed in the results as DNS (Did Not Start).

To scratch, visit the Technical Desk as soon as you know you cannot compete, or email scratches@athletics.ca before 4:00 pm the day before your event.

Source: First-Timer's Guide: Athletics Canada Masters National Championships FAQ: https://athletics.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FAQ-for-Masters-Canadian-Championships.pdf

• Medals: the top three Canadians in each event receive championship medals. If an international athlete finishes in the top three, they are awarded a duplicate medal so the top three Canadians are still recognized. There are no formal award ceremonies: once results are finalized (usually 30 to 60 minutes after the event) you collect your medal at the awards table.
• Uniform: wear your club or provincial singlet, or a simple regular T-shirt.
• Team Canada gear: Athletics Canada asks athletes not to wear "Team Canada" singlets at National Championships, to keep that kit for when you officially represent the country at World events.

Source: First-Timer's Guide: Athletics Canada Masters National Championships FAQ: https://athletics.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FAQ-for-Masters-Canadian-Championships.pdf

The World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships (WMACi 2027) are in Gainesville, Florida, March 18-26, 2027 (competition March 19-26; relays all on March 26). To represent Canada you must:

1. Be 35 or older (born on or before March 19, 1992).
2. Hold a valid membership with your Provincial or Territorial Athletics Canada branch.
3. Be a Canadian citizen (resident in Canada or elsewhere) or have been a resident of Canada for at least three years.
4. Not have competed for another country in a WMA or WMA Regional Championship, unless eligibility has been transferred to Canada. Transfer paperwork must be on file with WMA at least 30 days before the registration deadline.

Registration is online and must be paid in full. Fees are in euros: EUR 79 by December 31, 2026; EUR 89 by January 19, 2027; EUR 99 by January 26, 2027 (the final deadline). A Team Canada fee of EUR 160 (about $250 CAD) is charged in addition. Team Canada competition singlets are mandatory. Athletics Canada's Masters program manager validates registrations after you complete the intake form and the CCSP and Sport Integrity modules.

Source: Athletics Canada Masters Events: https://athletics.ca/masters/masters-events/