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What Is Cross Country?
Cross country is a popular sport that involves running a course that may consist of grass, mud, trees, and water. The IESA has stated that middle school athletes, both boys and girls, run a 2-mile (3200 m) course during their meets, although the meets we r...
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What Is Cross Country?
April 29, 2009
Cross country is a popular sport that involves running a course that may consist of grass, mud, trees, and water. The IESA has stated that middle school athletes, both boys and girls, run a 2-mile (3200 m) course during their meets, although the meets we run in may vary between 1 and 2 miles. Boys and girls normally do not run in the same race.
Although only the top 7 runners place in cross country, most cross country meets feature an open race that allows any number of participants. There are no cuts in cross country so if you show up to practice and follow all team and school rules you will be able to run in the meets. Cross country is a great mix of an individual and team sport. Even if you aren't scoring points for the team you will hopefully be improving on your own best time.
Finally, cross country can be a great place to have fun and get in shape. Everyone in the sport will be at different ability levels, but the goal is for everyone to improve as the season goes on. No matter what physical shape you are in you should be in the best shape of your life once the season is over.
