VICTORIA - The 2025 Victoria Track Classic, powered by RunSport, returns to the University of Victoria's Centennial Stadium on Sunday, June 22, with some of Canada's top university athletes and emerging pros ready to throw down in one of the country's premier summer track meets.

Established in 1988 as a prep meet for the Seoul Olympics, the Victoria Track Classic has become a key stop on the Canadian track calendar where national champions, Olympic hopefuls, and standout student-athletes collide in search of personal bests and pride.

This year, the Victoria Endurance Club is fielding a deep roster, with 19 athletes (made up of current and former Vikes) set to compete on home turf.

Leading the charge is Marisha Thompson, the 2025 Vikes Rookie of the Year, who set a Vikes record in the mile (4:42.78) earlier this year. Thompson capped a breakout season with Canada West gold in the 3000m, a Canada West First Team All-Star nod and a spot on the FISU Games roster for Team Canada this summer.

She'll be joined by Jack Boden, a fourth-year middle-distance threat who helped power UVic to gold in the 4x800m at Canada West and placed top-10 in both the 1500m and 4x800m at U SPORTS nationals. Tate O'Brien, who will enter his third year as a Vike, is another one to watch. O'Brien is a Canada West gold medalist in the 4x800; he also saw top-five finishes in 600m and 4x800m at nationals.

Fresh off a strong rookie campaign, Elisabeth Mcdowell-Mitchell took Canada West bronze in the 600m and placed sixth nationally. She'll look to drop more time in the 800m, chasing her best time of 2:0.64.

Other Vikes to watch include Erin Owens in the 1500m, Ella Ballard and Elissa Frielink in the 3000m, up-and-comer Miika Lagat in the 800m, and Marcus Ganz in the 3000m, to name a few.

The competition won't come easy. In the men's 800m, Cole Lindhorst, an NCAA All-American from the University of Washington with a 1:46 personal best, headlines a deep field. He'll be challenged by Canada's Jonathan Podbielski, a former national U20 champ over 800m and 1500m.

In the women's 1500m, Holly MacGillivray (UBC), a key member of the Thunderbirds' USPORTS silver-medal cross country team, will lead the charge. Her UBC teammate Elysse Fleming steps up in the 3000m, also looking to build on a strong cross-country and indoor season.

Events begin at 6 p.m. with amateur heats, followed by elite competition starting at 7 p.m. Events include the 100m, 100m hurdles, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, plus javelin, pole vault, and discus.

Admission is $15 at the gate or online. Kids 12 and under get in free.