Inclusive, community-driven team achieves a long-time goal under coach Claire Pabody
The Mount Allison University women’s and men’s cross country club is heading to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association nationals this Saturday on Prince Edward Island. It’s the first time the team will compete at the national level after nearly a decade of steady success under head coach Claire Pabody, who also works as a research associate in the university’s biochemistry department.
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Pabody said the moment feels surreal after nine years of growth and determination.
“We get to go compete at the national level and represent Mount Allison and our amazing scrappy little club team,” she said. “It’s a little bit surreal. I’ve wanted to do this for nine years and the fact that we’re finally getting to do it feels very surreal to me.”
A decade of steady success
Pabody has led both the men’s and women’s teams for nine seasons. In that time, Mount A’s cross country club has become a consistent contender in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association, going up against better funded varsity teams.
“The first year that I coached both men and women, we took gold in the ACAA championships,” said Pabody. “And every year since, we’ve earned either gold or silver, one or both teams, with individual champions almost every season. They’re great. It’s a great team. They’re amazing.”
Powered by inclusion and community
Unlike varsity programs, Mount A’s cross country club relies on volunteers and fundraising rather than university funding. Its strength, Pabody said, comes from its inclusive culture and sense of belonging.
“They’re all really dedicated students, highly intelligent,” she said. “They come to this club for the community and the environment we’ve built. We take everyone, no matter their experience or ability. My job is to help each person reach their goal, whether that’s running one kilometre by season’s end or racing eight K at nationals.”
That inclusive mindset, Pabody explained, was a conscious choice.
“I consciously implemented that, and the runners have too,” she said. “We tell everyone, ‘Come run with us.’ We stretch outside the chapel at five o’clock so people walking by can see us. It’s created this wonderful, welcoming environment.”
Beyond training, a team that feels like family
Pabody said the welcoming atmosphere extends off the track.
“We do team dinners and waffle breakfasts at my house,” she said. “It’s not just the racers, everyone’s welcome, and everyone shows up.”
Recognition and pride
Pabody’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed. She was named Coach of the Year for the ACAA conference, an honour decided by her fellow coaches.
“I was honoured my first season, and again this year,” she said. “The university has even nominated me for national Coach of the Year as we head to PEI.”
Despite limited funding and a patchwork of jerseys, she said the team’s attitude never wavers.
“It’s kind of fun, we operate on a shoe budget,” she said. “We never match, and yet we still manage to succeed and have a lot of fun doing it.”
Running for everyone
For Pabody, the real achievement isn’t measured in medals.
“The most important thing people need to understand about our club is that we welcome everybody,” she said. “Running is for everyone. It doesn’t have to be competitive, it can just be fun. We just want everyone to join us.”
This weekend, five women and six men, including two international students, Pabody, and assistant coach Charles Douglas will represent Mount Allison at the national championships.
“We’ve got a dinner planned, parents and friends coming to support,” said Pabody. “Everyone’s just like, ‘Oh my gosh, we did it.’ We get to represent Mount Allison and our amazing, scrappy little club team. It’s a little surreal, I’ve wanted to do this for nine years.”
The Mount Allison cross country club competes at the CCAA nationals this Saturday on Prince Edward Island.
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