McMaster University Athletics

The 1963 McMaster men’s cross country team, under the direction of Coach Ron Wallingford, dominated distance running at both the conference and national levels. The seven members of the team, Russ Evans (Captain), Paul Hoffman, John McLean, Dave Knox, Al Duncan, Bruce Woods and Ross Kidd were all outstanding individual runners, who pushed each other to ensure that the team achieved success. McMaster captured conference titles in 1962, 1963 and 1964, but it was the 1963 squad that made history by winning the inaugural CIAU National Championship, which was held in Guelph, Ontario.  The Marauders placed five runners in the top seven to claim the team title. 

McMaster’s magnificent seven narrowly missed a repeat in 1964, winning the conference title for a third straight time, and finishing second to Manitoba at the CIAU finals.