Moh Ahmed Set for Highly Anticipated Return at Canadian Cross-Country Championships

Veteran Olympian Joins Strong Field as Ben Preisner Prepares for Spring Marathon Season

Canadian long-distance running fans are in for a compelling weekend as Olympic medallist Moh Ahmed makes his long-awaited return to the national cross-country stage. The celebrated athlete, who last competed in the Canadian cross-country championships 13 years ago, will line up once again on Saturday in London, Ontario. His presence adds a powerful layer of intrigue to an already competitive field—one that includes fellow Olympian Ben Preisner, multiple national contenders, and emerging Canadian talents eager to measure themselves against the country’s best.

The event comes at an important moment for both Ahmed and Preisner. For Ahmed, it marks a test of fitness and resilience after an injury-interrupted 2025 track season. For Preisner, it offers a chance to sharpen his racing instincts ahead of a major spring marathon. Together, their returns help elevate the profile of this year’s national championships, promising a riveting display of endurance, skill, and winter-season grit.

A Meaningful Comeback for Canada’s Most Decorated Distance Runner

Ahmed Returns to Cross-Country After 13-Year Absence

Moh Ahmed’s reappearance is one of the most notable storylines heading into the competition. The 34-year-old, widely regarded as Canada’s most accomplished distance runner, last raced at the event in 2012, where he finished second to fellow Olympian Cam Levins. Since then, he has built a remarkable international résumé—most notably becoming Canada’s first Olympic medallist in the 5,000 metres at the Tokyo 2021 Games.

Despite an impressive career, 2025 has presented challenges. Ahmed was forced to withdraw from the 5,000 metres at the World Athletics Championships after an early exit in the 10,000 metres, where he aggravated a strain in his left calf. Saturday’s race will serve as an important test of where his recovery stands.

Scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET at the Fanshawe Golf Course, the senior men’s 10-kilometre race features a two-kilometre looped course made up primarily of grass. The terrain includes rolling hills, technical turns, and even hay bale obstacles—classic cross-country features that will demand both strength and adaptability.

A Legacy of Speed and Tenacity

At peak performance, Ahmed has established himself among the world’s elite. He has recorded 12:47.20 over 5,000 metres, making him one of the fastest athletes in North American history at the distance. On the roads, he has produced a strong 28:22 for 10 kilometres. Yet, cross-country presents an entirely different challenge—one that often narrows the gap between world-class track specialists and strong domestic competitors accustomed to unpredictable surfaces.

Still, Ahmed’s experience, tactical awareness, and competitive drive make him a formidable presence. Whether he is fully back to form or simply testing his readiness, his return promises to elevate the race’s intensity.

Ben Preisner Seeks a Challenging Tune-Up for Marathon Training

Returning to Cross-Country After Six Years

While Ahmed’s entry turned heads across the Canadian running community, Ben Preisner also brings significant intrigue to the championship. The 2021 Olympian, who transitioned from track to road racing earlier in his career, is entering his first national cross-country race since 2019. Now deep into training ahead of a spring marathon, Preisner says the timing felt perfect for a competitive “twist” to his preparation.

“I wanted something fun, and something a little different,” he shared, noting that the rugged nature of cross-country running offers an ideal blend of intensity and unpredictability.

Preisner is prepared for classic late-November Canadian conditions—biting cold, snow-packed grass, and slippery curves. These extremes, he says, only add to the appeal.

Facing Strong Competition

Preisner will face a deep field headlined by:

Philippe Morneau-Cartier – three-time U Sports champion
Phil Parrot-Migas – a local favourite with strong course familiarity
Connor Black – 2022 national champion and another Ontario standout

With competition this tight, Preisner views the race as a prime opportunity to evaluate his fitness ahead of marathon season.

A Surprise Entrant Raises the Stakes

Ahmed’s Last-Minute Registration Catches Attention

Preisner admitted that he was excited—and slightly surprised—to see Ahmed’s name added late to the start list. For him and many other competitors, racing alongside the four-time Olympian adds motivation and prestige.

“It’s always fun to see top athletes come back to cross-country,” Preisner said. “As a competitor, I have complete faith he’ll be out there giving it everything he has.”

Ahmed’s presence may change the race dynamics considerably. The Fanshawe course rewards rhythm, power, and adaptability more than pure speed. For a world-class track runner like Ahmed, the shift in terrain could level the field in unexpected ways.

Cross-Country’s Unique Challenge

Why the Grass and Mud Matter

Preisner emphasized that cross-country racing often disrupts traditional hierarchies. A runner with a modest track personal best—say a 14-minute 5K athlete—can often hold their own against someone who can run 12:50 on the track if they excel on grass, mud, and uneven ground.

“The elements of cross-country even the playing field,” he explained, highlighting how strength, balance, and handling variable terrain sometimes outweigh raw foot speed.

While Ahmed boasts exceptional track credentials, Preisner noted that some of that “high-end speed” may not directly translate to softer, unpredictable surfaces. Yet, he added with a laugh, the four-time Olympian could very well have incorporated grass-based fartlek sessions into his training.

Inside Fartlek Training

Fartlek—which means “speed play” in Swedish—is a training method involving bursts of faster running followed by periods of easy recovery. These workouts naturally simulate the variability of cross-country terrain and can help an athlete transition smoothly from track racing to grass-based efforts.

Whether Ahmed has been preparing specifically for this return remains unclear, but the possibility certainly adds intrigue.

A Highly Anticipated Clash at Fanshawe Golf Course

Weather, Terrain, and Storylines Set the Stage

With snow in the forecast and temperatures dropping, Saturday’s championships promise the authentic cross-country experience that athletes both dread and relish. The Fanshawe Golf Course layout—with its tight turns, rolling hills, grass-heavy terrain, and hay bale jumps—will test every runner’s strength and tactical decision-making.

The storylines only heighten the anticipation:

Will Ahmed make a triumphant comeback after years away from cross-country and months of injury recovery?
Can Preisner use the race as a meaningful checkpoint before marathon season?
Which young talents or local contenders might rise to the occasion in tough conditions?

Conclusion: A Race Defined by Talent, Grit, and Opportunity

Saturday’s Canadian cross-country championships promise to deliver one of the most compelling races in recent memory. Moh Ahmed’s unexpected return brings undeniable star power and raises the competitive stakes, while Ben Preisner’s strategic participation adds another fascinating layer to the field.

With experienced champions, rising athletes, unpredictable elements, and two Olympians on the starting line, the event is poised to be a highlight of Canada’s distance-running calendar. Whether it becomes a triumphant comeback for Ahmed, a crucial tune-up for Preisner, or a breakout opportunity for a new name, one thing is clear: the battle at Fanshawe Golf Course will command attention across the national running community.