The 96th running of the OUA Men's Cross Country Championships and 33rd running of the OUA Women's Cross Country Championships promise to be the closest races in recent years. The host Guelph Gryphons, who have dominated the championships in recent history with the women having won a record six consecutive titles and the men's streak sitting at five, will face their stiffest competition in recent memory.

On the women's side the Gryphons boast five of the top six returners from 2009, led by bronze medalist Rachel Cliff. Cliff, last year's OUA Rookie Of The Year Genevieve Lalonde, and Courtney Laurie could all wind up on the podium. Looking to spoil the Gryphons' parade will be the quickly-improving McMaster Marauders. The Marauders have jumped from fifth in 2007, to third in 2008, to runners up last year. Early this season, they up-ended the Gryphons at the Western International and have been ranked as the top team in the CIS for the entire season until this week when they were overtaken by the Gryphons. The Marauders will be led by Jessica Pearo, who is undefeated this season and was instrumental in Canada's bronze medal finish at last year's World University Cross Country Championships. After the lead two teams there is a gap to the Western Mustangs and Queen's Gaels who are expected to battle it out for the bronze. The Mustangs and Gaels are led by two coaches at opposite ends of their careers: the legendary Bob Vigars, completing his 43rd season at the helm guides the Mustangs while the Gaels are directed by first year Head Coach Steve Boyd. The Rookie of The Year battle is expected to be between Emily Driedger of the Gryphons, Ontario High School Champion Colleen Hennessy of Toronto, and Kristen Flanagan of Waterloo.