Race Distances: MS races are 1.5 or 2 miles in length, High School Girls and High School Boys run a 5k (3.1 miles). Often times MS races are run boys and girls together, but they are placed and scored separately. Terrain varies and is typically run on grass courses-many times golf courses or trails.
Team Scoring: Low score wins. You add the finishing places of your top 5 runners to figure your team score. For example, 2nd place=2 points, 11th place=11 points, and 33rd place=33 points, and so on. The 6th runner is the tie breaker runner. 5 Runners score and 7 are varsity. All compete until post season championship racing.
Equipment: For practice-running shoes and athletic clothing. Typically racing shoes are either XC spikes, distance track spikes, or racing flats. XC spikes are the most specialized and preferred racing shoes usually. Training shoes can also be used.
Spectators: Spectators move from point to point cheering typically. It's an involved and active spectator sport if you want it to be!