What is cross country all about? Cross country meets are divided into boys’ and girls’ races, and each race is 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) long. The meets are held at different courses with a variety of terrains. Some courses include significant hills, while others are mostly flat.

When are practices held and how often are the meets? Practices typically last from 3:30-5:30 in the fall. The practices allow runners to get to know each other and learn the strategies of running a cross country meet. Every practice is set up so each runner can train to his/her ability. There are nine to ten meets a year held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and some Saturdays. The meets last between 3 to 4 hours and the team returns before nine o'clock in most cases.

What is the difference between varsity and junior varsity? At each meet, seven boys and seven girls run on the varsity team. The remaining runners are allowed to run in the junior varsity races. This allows every athlete to compete in all of the meets. The best times from previous races determine who will run on the varsity team.

Why join the cross country team? One reason is that students like to run and compete with other athletes. Another reason is to get involved in a physical activity that will improve your personal health. Finally, many students join cross country to get to know other students and have a fun and enjoyable experience.