What is Cross Country?

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Cross Country running is a sport in which runners compete to complete a course over open or rough terrain. The courses used at these events may include grass, mud, woodlands, and water. It is a popular participatory sport, and usually takes place in temperate regions during the autumn and winter when soft conditions underfoot prevail.

Courses

Each cross-country running course is different in composition. Distances are generally standardized, however there will be little in common between any two courses other than their length. As such, accurate comparisons cannot be made between performances on different courses or even on the same course on different years as the weather and underfoot conditions can be significantly different. For this reason, records of the fastest times in international competition are not kept.

The Start

Races are started en masse, sometimes with each team having its own bull pen or box along the start line. Boxes may be big enough to fit the entire team on the starting line. In some meets, there is only enough room for one runner from each team on the line. The 2-7 remaining team members follow in a line, and if permitted may flow into other boxes. A gun or horn is then sounded, and runners have a few hundred metres to converge from the wide starting line into the much narrower path that must be followed until the finish. However, races are typically smaller in the common dual races between two schools, so that there is generally enough room for each team on the starting line.

Marking the course

The runner is responsible for staying within a specified distance of the marked path. Courses may be marked using various methods, such as tape, chalk, ribbons, paint, cones, and flags. Runners are to avoid hitting marks such as cones and flags because these can be scattered, causing confusion as to where the course should be run.

The Finish

The course usually ends at a finish line located at the beginning of a funnel or chute. The chute is a long, roped walkway that keeps athletes single-file in order of finishing.

Helpers at the finish line assist in making sure the athletes keep moving through the line while staying in order as more runners come through. They settle close finishes and help along any collapsing athletes to make sure that they get their numbers in the right order. The helpers that work the chute also are in charge of giving water to the finishers and helping them if they are having trouble (vomiting, collapsing, trouble breathing, etc.).

There is often a small slip at the bottom of the runners' number (that is pinned to the front of their jersey during the race) which is ripped off and collected, this shows each athlete's information. That slip is used to keep track of finishing positions. An alternative method is to have four officials in two pairs. In the first pair, one official reads out numbers of finishers and the other records them. In the second pair, one official reads out times for the other to record. At the end of the race the two lists are joined along with information from the entry information. The major disadvantage of this system is that distractions can easily upset the results, particularly when large numbers of runners finish close together.

Another method of timing which is being used somewhat more often, most commonly larger races, is chip timing. Each runner is given an electronic chip before the race to tie to their shoe; when the runner crosses the finish line they step on an electronic pad which records the chip number and is matched to the runner from an already made database. Occasionally there will also be checkpoint mats or mile mats to deliver splits and make sure runners go over the entire course. This is by far the most accurate method, although it is somewhat expensive.

Equipment

Cross-country running involves very little specialized equipment. Most races are run in shorts and vests or singlets, usually in club or school colors. In particularly cold conditions, long-sleeved shirts and tights can be worn to retain warmth without losing mobility. The most common footwear worn consists of a pair of spikes which are lightweight racing shoes that incorporate metal spikes, known as teeth, into the sole. Teeth may or may not be replaceable, depending on the shoe's design. These teeth are changed depending on race conditions. For example, if the course is muddy a larger spike will be used. Regulation teeth for cross country courses range from .25-.5 inches. Alternatively, rubber studded shoes may be worn, as spikes are forbidden in some leagues. While spikes are suitable for most conditions, runners may choose to wear racing flats if the course includes significant portions of paved surfaces. Flats are typically less aggressive in foot positioning, but lighter in weight than spikes. They possess less rigid outsole tread than spikes and do not have any metal teeth.

Distances

Distances in United States (US) amateur running differ based on gender and league.

Most elementary schools in the US do not have school teams, but many running clubs exist for youth runners of 18 years of age and younger. Youth running clubs compete in local, regional, and national championships sanctioned by the AAU or USATF. Course distances for this age group vary depending on the age of the athlete. Common championship distances are:

Many middle school (grades 6-8) in the US offer cross country as a school sport and youth running clubs are still very dominant in this age group. The course length varies, as listed above, but middle school cross country distances are generally three kilometers for both boys and girls.

In secondary/high schools, the standard male and female varsity distance is 5 kilometers (approximately 3.1 miles) in many states such as Wisconsin, North Carolina, Michigan, and Virginia. In states such as Illinois, 3.0 miles is also common. However, states differ in their regulations, and in some, different distances, mostly 3 miles and 4 kilometers, are typical for females. Some of the most prominent high school meets include September's Great American Cross Country Festival in Alabama, October's Manhattan Invitational in New York City's Van Cortlandt Park, and October's Mt. San Antonio College Invitational, "Mt. SAC" for short. The season culminates with the individual Foot Locker National XC Championships held in San Diego's Balboa Park and the Nike Team Nationals which are held in Portland, Oregon.

At college level, distances are usually 5 km or 6 km for females and 8 km (5 miles) for males for most invitationals and NCAA Division III regional and national meets. For NCAA Divisions I and II, men race 10 km (6.2 mi) and women 6 km at regional and national competitions. There are both individual and team honors at the NCAA Men's Cross Country Championship and NCAA Women's Cross Country Championship. The largest cross-country invitational in the world is at Mt. SAC[1]. The USATF National Championships consist of a long course and a short course similar to the IAAF World Championships. The long course is 12 km for men and 8 km for women, while the short course is 4 km for both men and women. The most recent NCAA Division I National Championship was held in Terre Haute, Indiana at Indiana State University, the Division II race was at Slippery Rock University, and Division III was at Hanover College, also in Indiana.

For more information regarding Cross Country at Milton High School, please refer to the FAQ section of this web site.