FAQ

Cross country is a race that is generally about 5000 meters or 3.1 miles.  Cross country and track & field are not the same. Track races are competed on the track. Cross country races are held at a variety of different locations. Throughout the season cross country athletes run on surfaces like grass, asphalt, sidewalks, dirt, or possibly sand. The race could also have hills, trails, roads, or valleys. Cross country takes a dedication and mental toughness. Race strategy is also an important component to the sport. It takes time to develop into a successful cross country runner. Off season training is one of the single must important factors in determining success. Building a good foundation of strength and mobility is also important. So we have a variety of workouts that will be focused on improving core, shoulder, arm, leg and ankle strength. We also work on improving hip mobility. 

You must be an Arbor View student or zoned for Arbor View if you attend a school that does not have cross country. A completed register my athlete (RMA) account with a new physical must be completed every school year and up to date insurance. Here is the link for RMA registermyathlete.com 

You can find the documents you need on our home page

There is even a "how to" paper for RMA

We can NOT take any athletes after 8/13/25. This is the day we finalize our roster. So that means if your are not green check marked in RMA and marked "complete" for all sections we won't be adding you to the cross country team. 

There are many reasons we must have a hard deadline for this. We understand that school has just started but the fall sports season actually started on August 2nd. Cross country is a 3 mile race. It is hot out there. If someone has missed all the practices from August 2nd, they will not be ready to race at our first meet. It actually takes 24 weeks for the body to adapt aerobically, so getting an untrained student ready in just a couple days is not possible. We want full participation but we also have to be honest and safe with our athletes. Cross country might be the most physically demanding of all the sports offered in high school. That just isn't enough time to safely prepare an athlete and get them fully acclimated to what the rest of the team can handle for not only the first race but the rest of the season. We are also parents. We must treat each student as our own and make safe and responsible decisions.  

If you missed the deadline to tryout for the team, please understand that track will be starting intramurals in late September/early October.

Nope. We are not personal trainers. Cross country is a team sport. It is NOT a fitness club. We are here to train the athletes that compete in meets. The beauty of the sport is in the competition. Why would we train someone that wants nothing to do with our team? Arbor View offers weights, PE, and crossfit classes that you are welcome to speak with your counselor about if your only goal is to "get in shape". 

Not usually. Students and parents need to figure out how they are getting to and from the meets. Buses are not provided to invitationals which are on Saturdays.

On some weekday meets the district will provide us with a bus after school. 

To be determined...

As soon as possible. Your new physical and insurance must be loaded into your RMA/aktivate account and then you can start. Please don't wait until school starts if at all possible. The more workouts we can get in over the summer the faster you will be. We start racing in August and we want you to be ready. 

The main purpose is to get you ready to run faster. We want you to be ready for try outs in August. It takes the body 24 weeks to adapt to aerobic training. We need all the time we can get. June and July workouts are the two most important months of the cross country season. Summer workouts also give you the opportunity to meet other athletes on the team and become comfortable with what we do. 

Its ok to miss summer workouts, but you need to try your best to run on your own. We all have plans in the summer. Summer workouts aren't mandatory. 

This will vary depending on the day. Please stay in contact with us. 

We are trying to battle the heat while also trying to fight for time on the track. With so many fall sports and activities (football, soccer, band...etc) it is hard to find time on the surface we consider our home. Also we want a couple days that aren't in the blazing afternoon heat. 

Good running shoes! Check out the link that details running shoes. Wear what ever you feel comfortable to workout in. A t-shirt and shorts is fine. Bring plenty of water. Sport towels are also great because they can help keep you cool.

This years team fee will be $250. All athletes are required to cover this cost either by direct payment or fundraiser. Each student athlete will be getting team gear with their team fee. Team fees also go towards entry fees, timing fees, equipment, drinks, snacks, and other costs that we run into as we try to make our season as enjoyable as possible. This fee can be paid with the banker later in the summer, or students can also participate in our fundraisers to help cover this cost. 

THERE ARE NO REFUNDS. Once payment has been made and a student participates in workouts, we can not give a refund. It does not matter if they ever participate in a race or not. Please understand that even if he/she never participates in a race, there is still no refund. Team fees cover more than just participating in a race. The majority of their fee goes towards their gear. Once we hand out team gear we will not take it back. It is yours. A student athlete will not be entered into any races until their team fee has been covered either by individual payment or an equivalent amount in fundraisers has been accumulated. 

Our two main fundraisers are Snap Raise and business sponsorships. Snap Raise will be launching on August 3rd. Start collecting those email addresses and phone numbers so you can pre load them. Business sponsorships come directly from you talking to businesses. With each sponsorship the business will get a banner placed inside of the football stadium for the duration of the school year. We have many businesses that have sponsored us in the past that are willing to sponsor you. Please speak to Ms P. or Coach Thrasher about each of these so you can get started as soon as possible. 

The only fee required this year is the team fee. Here are the other costs that you might want to keep in mind or be interested in...

XC Team Fee (required): This mostly covers the cost of the Arbor View cross country gear they will be getting. It will also help cover other costs like entry fees, timing equipment, and other items that make the season possible.   

Cost $250

Uniform (Newcomers-Required/Returners-optional): You are welcome to use your uniform from previous seasons if you are a returner. If you are new to the program you will need a uniform. 

Cost $65

Woodbridge/Disney Trip (Optional/Open to first 30 athletes that qualify): This trip will include racing at the Woodbridge Invitational on Friday September 19th and going to Disneyland on Saturday. This year the plan is to go to the Disney side of the park. We are only able to take 30 athletes to this meet as we are only taking one charter bus to California. Typically have more than 30 athletes come out during the season. 

Cost: $400

Portland Nike XC (Varsity Only): This is a true invitational much like what we have during the track and field season. We can take 20 athletes at most. 

Cost: $600

Nope. It's all explained in the team fee portion of the faq's.

The cross country season usually ends in the beginning of November at the State Championships meet. 

This is not a walking club. Athletes not putting in their best effort need to decide if this sport is for them. The coaching staff will also talk with students if this sport is indeed a good fit.  

This year it is expected you make the team. Cut times will be posted on the home page. This means you should be training over the summer. 

Unfortunately no. Students can only participate in one fall sport per season. So out of football, soccer, tennis, girls volleyball, girls golf, and cross country, you can only participate in one. 

The 7 athletes selected to be part of the regional championship team will all earn varsity letters. Being selected as an alternate will earn a varsity letter as well.