New to Cross Country: What to Expect
Cross country can feel unfamiliar if you’re new to the sport. Here’s a clear overview of how our meets work.
Site Location and Distance
Cross Country meets are held at off‑campus locations such as trails, grass fields, and park pathways. In our league, all athletes compete together in one girls race and one boys race, typically close to 5 kilometers (3.1 miles). Our home course is Miwok Meadows in China Camp
How Scoring Works
Each runner earns points equal to their finishing place. A team’s top five finishers make up the score, and the team with the lowest total wins.
How Long Are Meets
A meet typically runs about 1-1.5 hours from the start of the first race. Girls race first on even years (2026) and rotates to boys for odd years.
What Athletes Should Bring on Race Day
Running shoes
Water bottle
Weather‑appropriate clothing
Team uniform
Below is the course map for our home meet at Miwok Meadows in China Camp State Park.