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Looking for something fun and a “little twist” from his marathon training, Ben Preisner returns to the Canadian Cross Country Championships for the first time since 2019 this weekend in London, Ontario.
He's bracing for the cold and snow and is ready to take on three-time U Sports champion Philippe Morneau-Cartier, as well as local favorites Phil Parrott-Migas and Connor Black, the 2022 national champion.
Also catching Preisner's attention was competitor Moh Ahmed, Canada's most decorated distance runner. His 2025 track season ended with him withdrawing from the 5,000m at the World Athletics Championships after an early exit in the 10,000m due to a worsening left calf strain.
“It’s definitely nice to see some of the top athletes returning to the cross country championships,” Preisner said of Ahmed, who last competed at nationals in 2012 when he finished second to Cam Levins, the Canadian record holder in the men's marathon and half marathon.
“As a competitor, I have full confidence that he will try his best.”
Ahmed, 34, will test his calf muscles in Saturday's men's 10K open race, scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET at Fanshawe Golf Course. The two-kilometre loop course is predominantly grass, designed to provide runners with hilly terrain (uphill/downhill) and technical elements such as hay bale jumping.
At his best, Ahmed covered 5000 meters in 12 minutes 47.20 seconds, was the fastest distance runner in North America and became Canada first Olympic medalist in this sport at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. He also showed 28:22 more than 10 km on the road, but running on the grass is hard work.
“The cross-country element evens the playing field,” said Preisner, who was making his marathon debut. in 2020 after racing on the track in the 5000 and 10000 steeplechase. “Sometimes a 14-minute guy in a 5K who runs well on grass and dirt can get close to a 12:50 guy. [like Ahmed]. “Some of [his] Going fast on the track doesn't necessarily mean running fast on the grass.”
But as Preisner half-jokingly said, perhaps the four-time Olympian was doing fartlek and getting used to the grass surface. Fartlek training occurs with faster efforts for short periods of time, followed by an easier pace of recovery..
World Ski Championships January 10 in Florida.
“No matter how strong and healthy Mo is, he will command a lot of respect on the track,” added Preisner, who will make his Olympic debut in 2021.
A top 10 finish by Ahmed and others will qualify them for the tournament. 46th World Athletics Championships January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida.
Preisner expects a tight battle in Saturday's race, at least in the first half, and a battle for position on the third lap.
“I expect the fourth round will be very interesting,” he said. “It will be interesting what Mo decides to do. If he is happy to sit with the group and feels confident that he can pass anyone in the last kilometre, then others will guide him when that push is made. It will be interesting to see how the tactics work out.”
Ahmed has not competed in a race for 15 months since running the 5000m in Rome on August 30, 2024, and his long-awaited half marathon debut was delayed by almost two years due to injury and scheduling issues.
The St. Catharines, Ont., native is also in a new training environment, leaving behind longtime coach Jerry Schumacher. He was recently spotted working out at the Nike-sponsored Swoosh Track Club (Swoosh TC), based in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Preisner, a 29-year-old Vancouver resident, has undergone five weeks of rigorous training since his third marathon appearance at the World Athletics Championships in September. He is coming off a successful season highlighted by a half-marathon personal best of 1:02:24 and victories over the 21.1 km distance in Manitoba and Vancouver, the latter for the third time.
“It's a quick turn [from worlds] but I'm coming in [Saturday] without much pressure. I'm trying to enjoy a different style of racing and it's also a reason to come home,” said Preisner, who grew up in Milton, 135km east of London.
He competed at the World Cross Country Championships in 2015 (Guiyang, China) and 2019 (Aarhus, Denmark), so returning in six weeks will be a “great addition” to the season.
“If everything matches [and I’m selected] then perfect. If not, I’ll have bigger fish to fry in the spring,” Preisner said.
The 2021 Olympic champion is planning his first marathon in Tokyo (March 1), Boston (April 20) or London, England (April 26).
“I want to do more marathon racing rather than running a specific time to qualify for the world championships and Olympics,” he said. “My body feels good and I'm looking forward to a slower race. [Saturday] to see where my strength lies.”
