Cross country is a sport in which teams and individuals run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course is typically 4-12 kilometers (2.5-7.5 mi.) long and may include surfaces of grass and earth. Many courses pass through woodlands and open fields, as well as hills and gravel roads. This sport has been around for quite some time.
Rules and traditions of cross country racing originally emerged in Britain, then became common all over the world. The English championship was first held in 1876 and the International Cross Country Championship was held for the first time in 1903. Since 1973 the foremost elite competition has been the International Association of Athletics Federations World Cross Country Championships.
The Athens Drive Cross Country team consists of a Men’s and Women’s team, but they are commonly seen as one large team. There are over 50 runners overall. They are coached by Coach Lori Lair, who is also the head of the ATV program, as well as Coach Lauren Barrett, who is a special programs teacher. Practice usually takes place over at the trails by Lake Johnson, but meets typically are held at WakeMed Soccer Park. WakeMed Soccer Park consists of hills, uneven paths, and dirt, making it a challenging course.
“I decided to take up cross country because it’s a good way to stay in shape, but also because running is a good way to relieve stress,” said Kayleigh Ratashak, senior.
According to Ratashak, Cross Country runners usually need to be in good cardiovascular shape because meets are typically multiple miles long of constant running. The average length of a cross country race in high school is a 5k, which is 3.1 miles long. Ratashak’s best time for a 5k is 26 minutes.
“I took up cross country in the 5th grade. I love to compete and run, so it makes sense for me. I enjoy the high competition in our conference and the ability to meet new people,” said Kevin Page, senior.
Page’s best 5k time is a 17: 30. Currently, the Athens cross country team is ranked 7 out of 9 in the conference. According to Page, however, the team has vastly improved over the course of the last few years. Their final conference meet is Wednesday, Oct. 21, while their regional meet is Saturday, Oct 24, which will be their final race of the year.
