Transition to the new executive
- Details
Dear members of the ultrarunning community,
the last 8 months have been a real test of our resiliency to overcome the hard situation everyone is experiencing but as ultrarunners always do, we did not let that stop us from enjoying our sport by keeping up with training on our own or hosting virtual challenges.
Despite the limited number of events hosted in 2020, so far 1043 performances across the globe from Canadians have been recorded on our Ranking List (see update 30 Sep). If anyone has participated in an event which is not listed, please contact us so we can update the list.
The last 8 months has also been a very busy time for the ACU as we went through the election process of a new executive committee to move our sport forward nationally and internationally.
As I am typing this announcement, the final transition to the new executive has been completed and they are ready to assume their new functions.
Ryne Melcher is taking the helm as your new President
Lee Smith as Vice-President and Adam Takacs as Secretary/Treasurer.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish them all the best and to thank the whole ultrarunning community for your tremendous support over my last 10 years as President of the ACU.
A special thanks goes to our Directors, Technical team members, Provincial Representatives, as well as Race Directors and members, for their outstanding work and support year after year.
As I step down, I am confident that the same cooperation and support will be continuing with the new executive members.
To help with the continuity of the organization, I will be moving to the new function of Technical advisor and keep the position of National Team Manager.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, our memberships has declined, a few new members and limited number of renewal have been processed. The ACU is your association and without your support it cannot exist so I encourage you to renew or join.
On this note, I wish you well, be safe and stay healthy, we got this...
Yours in Sport
Armand
ACU New executives announcement
- Details
Dear members of the ultrarunning community,
The ACU has now completed the nominations process required to elect the new executive committee members.
The nominations received are as follows:
Ryne Melcher for President from Vancouver, British Columbia
Lee Smith for Vice-President from Edmonton, Alberta
No nominations received for the Secretary/Treasurer
As there is only 1 nomination for each of the position, Ryne and Lee are therefore elected by acclamation.
The Secretary position will be reposted in the near future.
The transition to the new executive will take place in the next couple of weeks.
"Congratulations to Ryne and Lee for their nominations and looking forward to their leadership"
Yours in sports
Armand
ACU Elections of the Executive 2020 Nominations
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Dear members of the running community,
as we are getting to the end of May and the end of the deadline to receive nominations for the ACU executive elections, this is the last reminder to send in your nominations. It is important that nominations are received in order to proceed to elect the next executive of your association.
Open for elections are the following position:
President
Vice President
General Secretary/Treasurer
The Association Canadian Ultramarathoners (ACU) has been in operation since 1992 and needs to continue to serve the ultrarunning community.
Each position requires a very small commitment of time.
One individual can only do so much but a team of individuals can achieve anything.
Stay healthy and be safe
Yours in Sports
Armand
ACU President
COVID-19 update
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Dear members of our ultrarunning community,
with the relentless progression of the COVID-19 virus across the country and around the world, most of us are left with minimum options with regards to the upcoming running season.
Many if not all scheduled events are now cancelled or postponed until at least July and it does not look good for the Fall with a possible second wave of the pandemic.
The ACU takes this situation very seriously and the safety of our athletes/officials/support crew and members is our main priority.
A few weeks ago we had declined the invitation to send the National Team to the Americas 24 Hrs Championships in May, in Argentina. Shortly after the IAU announced that the Championship was postponed.
This morning (April 4th) the IAU has announced the cancellation of the World 100K Championships which was scheduled for Sep 12th 2020 in The Netherlands.
On the National level, all events that are part of the ACU National Championships Series up to July are cancelled or postponed.
Many will find themselves in financial uncertainty, several other are unable to train in a community setting due to the restrictions in place. The situation varies from region to region but in essence the conditions are very restrictive throughout the world.
Please take this time to stay safe and look after your family by respecting your local recommendations. Our borders might be closed right now, social distancing might seem what is pulling us apart but in the end all of this is what will bring us closer together.
We are all in this together, ultrarunners are a tough bunch, lets do our part. WE GOT THIS
Armand
Armand Leblanc
ACU President/Président
COVID-19 National Team 24 Hrs Americas Championships
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Due to the spread of the Covid-19 virus around the world, the invitation to participate to the Americas 24 Hrs Championships in Argentina, has been declined.
The safety of our athletes, officials and support crew is paramount and is not taken lightly.
The latest advisory from the Canadian Government is to avoid unecessary travel outside Canada and because of the possible closure of many countrie's borders, the decision was made to decline Canada's participation.
Another factor to consider, is that no travel insurance can be purchse until the crisis is over.
The IAU is monitoring closely the situation and will be announcing in due time the decision to cancell or postpone the World 100km coming up in September as well as the World 50km in November.
Many people are indifferent to the crisis and figured that if they get the virus, they will get over it. That might be true for those that are fit but it is those that they will transmit the virus to that are at risk.
It is everyone's responsability to do their part to avoid the spread of this virus therefore try to follow the guidelines provided by the Health organizations.
We will keep you invormed as soon as the information becomes available
In the meantime be safe and lets do our part.
Yours in sport
Armand
ACU President
ACU Elections of the Executive 2020
- Details
Dear ACU Members and members of the running community,
The last 10 years have been outstanding for the ACU. Ultrarunning has taken the athletics world by storm and the recognition of the sport in the international arena has increased tremendously.
There has been an increase in the number of ultrarunning races around the world and in the IAU-endorsed world events on an annual basis.
The ACU has been delegated the sole governance of ultrarunning from Athletics Canada since 2010 and is now the sole association responsible for managing ultrarunning at a national level in Canada. Amongst its many responsibilities, the association is responsible for coordinating the national race series and selecting athletes representing Canada at the world and continental championships events as well as maintaining National Records.
The Executive is coming to the end of their elected term and it is time for National elections.
Armand Leblanc, Nadeem Khan and Joe Huising have provided outstanding leadership and commitment during these formidable years and have put Canada on the ultrarunning map. On behalf of the ACU members and the National teams, we thank them for their hard work.
Follow this link for the English version of the positions opened and their responsabilities: Letter to the memberships and running community
Suivez ce lien pour la version Francaise des positions ouvertes et leurs responsabilitées: Lettre aux membres et à la communauté de coureurs
It is your association and it is yours to be involved in !!
COVID 19
- Details
As we are approaching the new running season, the threat of the Covid 19 is on everyone's mind
We are also approaching the National Team Selection 2020 for the upcoming 100K, 50K World Championships and Continental 24 Hrs Championships.
During the annual meeting of the International Association Ultramarathon (IAU) in Athens 2 weeks ago, the COVID 19 virus and its implication on the World 100km Championships coming up in Sept in Holland and the 50km in Nov in Jordan, was discussed.
Also coming up in May is the Continental 24 Hrs Championships in Argentina.
So far everything is on track and they are following closely the recommendation of the WHO and IAAF before making any announcement of cancellation.
They are making every effort to announce cancellation (if necessary) early enough to make sure athletes and officials are safe.
That being said, we are putting on hold making any reservations at the moment because if cancelled, none of our bookings will be covered by travel insurance if it is cancelled or postponed.
As soon as a decision is made, it will be posted on the ACU web site as well as the ACU Facebook page.
More to follow...
Armand
ACU President
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