Spectators

Weather

 Be prepared for any type of weather.  Meets are run in rain, snow, heat and cold.  Lightning can delay or cancel a meet on the spot,  but other conditions are just part of the challenge. 

Watching

 It is difficult to watch Cross Country from a stationary point.  Be ready to move quickly and wear walking/running shoes.  You may want to watch the start, then move to another point along the course to cheer as runners pass by, then move to another part of the course, and finally make it to the finish line as the runners end their race.  Look at a map of the course if possible and pick out good places to cheer from.  Often, your voice is best heard by the runners when you cheer from a place where few spectators are- the runners can use inspiration at these typically more difficult spots on the course.

Conduct

Your presence at the meets is greatly valued by the runners and coaches.  Wear your PANTHER gear and make yourself visible and heard (in a positive way, of course). Cheer loud and proud but keep it positive and stay behind any marked zones or barriers- and NO PETS please!

Runners

Course

 The terrain of a Cross Country course varies considerably from site to site.  Most courses have a good mix of flats, hills, woods and open land and varying surfaces (grass, gravel, dirt, acphalt etc...)

Usually there are between 4 and 6 races:  JV girls, JV boys, Varsity girls, Varsity boys and sometimes “C” girls and “C" boys races.  Occasionally, meets are run by grade level.  The order of races also varies from meet to meet.  Each race lasts around 30 minutes.  Boys  and Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity typically run 5000 meters (5K)  = 3.1 miles. 

 For scoring and timing, runners are given bib numbers to wear, pinned to their tops/singlets.  For some races, an electronic chip is also attached to each of the runner’s shoes.

 The starting line has team  “boxe” (6-8ft zone)  which are numbered so that the team runners can start in a "pack" together.

 Runners will be corralled at the starting line at least 5-10 minutes before their race. There are announced countdowns to start times.

Courses are marked with flags, cones, paint/chalk lines and signage. It is very important that runners preview the course before the meet.   Timing clocks are usually at the start and/or finish and on occasion, along the course.  Designated individuals may call out  times to runners at certain "mile markers" for feedback. 

The 1-mile mark (1600 meters) and the 2-mile mark (3200 meters) are often highlighted with signage or ground markings. Sometimes each Kilometer "K" is marked.  The finish line may have an extended rope chute, which the runners file int order of finish place for scoring. This is less common with timing-chip bibs now. 

Race Distances

Competitive race distances are typically 3.1 miles (5K) for boys and girls V and JV.   Middle school races are typically 1 mile. Time-Trials and unusual Invitational meets can vary.   For instance, the Rosemount Irish Invitational is 2 miles for all races.  

Race Scoring

The top 7 finishers for each team are factored into the final team score. Top 5  "score points" 6 and 7 are used for tie breakers.  Teams with fewer than 5 competitors are incomplete and their finishers are deleted from team scoring.

 The summation of the top 5 finishing places for each team represents the team scores. The lowest score wins (think golf).  For example, a team that scores 26 points beats a team that scores 29 points.

                   Lakeville North:             1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 10th =  1+4+5+6+10 = 26 points  (Lakeville wins, lower score!)

                             Opponent:             2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, 9th  =  2+3+7+8+9 = 29 points                

In the event of a tie, the 6th finishing place for each team determines the winner- and if still tied, the 7th place runner.  Invitational and Championship competition is scored using team finishing places against entire race field.