The Thompson Rivers University (TRU) WolfPack cross country team has began their competitive season and once again features two Whitehorse athletes. Both Zoe Painter and Kendra Murray, each in their third year, are representing the territory.

This past weekend, the Whitehorse duo, along with their teammates competed in the Vikes Invitational in Victoria.

Painter and Murray followed a six-kilometre trail. Murray came in 31st in a time of 25:42.30. Painter followed in the 32nd position in 26:04.12.

Thompson Rivers University cross country coach Carmin Mazzotta thought it was a good start for the pair.

“Kendra and Zoe ran quite well in the womens race,” said Mazzotta.

“They moved up throughout. It was exactly what we would expect at this time of year from them. Hard effort from both of them.

“They were trying to stick to runners and move up when they had opportunities. I expect both women to be a lot fitter a month from now at the Canada West championships. It bodes well.”

The Canada West championships will be held on October 26 and will be hosted by the University of Calgary. It will mark the conference’s first standalone cross country championship since 1990.

On September 22, the TRU team dominated the “Dirty Feet” race at Kenna Cartwright Park in Kamloops. The WolfPack finished in the top seven spots.

Murray was the first place woman ending the race with a final time of 24:16.4. Painter was not far off Murray’s pace and crossed the end line in 24:32.9, good for second place.

Overall, they were the sixth and seventh racers to complete the five-kilometre run.