EHS Brunch & Races
This will be our first large meet & we'll plan to have tables set with food, fruit & juices for parents & athletes. This will be a great chance to experience cross country as a large team with all parents! We will plan & divide the work.
Here is the link for the website with pictures of the course:
http://www.fortsteilacoominvite.com/fstimeschedule.html
Time Schedule
9:00 Coaches meeting
9:20 Open Race
9:55 Youth Race (2 kilometers)
10:15 Boys JV "team" This race is limited to 5 junior varsity runners per team.
10:40 Girls JV "team" This race is limited to 5 junior varsity runners per team.
11:15 Boys Flight 1 (#'s 5, 6, 7, & 8)
11:20 Girls Flight 1 (#'s 5, 6, 7, & 8)
11:50 Boys Flight 2 (#'s 1, 2, 3, & 4)
11:55 Girls Flight 2 (# 1, 2, 3, & 4)
12:30 Boys Junior Varsity #2 race
1:05 Girls Junior Varsity Race
Race Format
Varsity Races:
The boys and girls varsity races will be held in TWO flights. The first flight will be for the # 5, 6, 7 & 8th runners. The second flight will be for the #1, 2, 3, & 4 runners. We have 8 in the varsity races as many of us are still trying to decide who our top 7 are at this point in the season. Traditional scoring will still apply though.
Each girl's flight will start approximately 5-7 minutes after the boy's flight (once the boys pass through the start/finish area) Girls must come to the starting line immediately once the boys race starts. In the event of a recall in a girls varsity flight, the filight will be delayed until the boys varsity flight finishes. This is to prevent any conflicts between the boys finish as the girls approach the 1 mile point.
Scoring: We use traditional cross country scoring. Our scoring software (Raceberry Jam) merges the times from the two varsity flights together. Individual placing and and team results are based on the pacing once the flights have been merged. The top 20 athletes recive awards (medals to the top 10) and the top 5 teams in both small and large school divisions receive plaques.
Junior Varsity Races:
Their will be four jv races. Two of these are prior to the varsity races and are limited to 5 athletes, one for boys and another for girls. These races do not receive team awards, but the top 10 athletes in these races receive ribbons and team scores are kept. After the varstiy race there will be two more junior varsity races, one for boys and another for girls. These races will not be scored and participation is unlimited. The top 10 in each of these races also receive ribbons.
Community/Youth Races:
Prior to the high school races will be an open race for coaches, family, and open runners. The cost of the open race is $5.00. Ribbons will be awarded for the top 20 males and females in the open race. This year, we will enter results and post them on-line as well. There is also a 2k youth race for runners up to 8th grade. All participants will in the youth race receive a ribbon, with additional ribbons for the top 20 places. * Current high school runners competing in the open race for whatever reason shall not wear their team issued uniform to avoid potential conflict with WIAA rules and eligibility. Their entry fee and registration form must be independent of their school's registration as they are separate from the high school event.
5K Course Description
The course is 5000 meters entirely within Ft. Steilacoom Park in Lakewood. Both the start and finish are in the grassy area by the “historic” barns and play area. The first mile is generally flat and open. Runners head out between the barns and along the pathway between the pioneer's cemetery and the dog park. From there the course heads out into the fields, angling towards the lone fir tree and the park entrance. Runners then loop back towards the start/finish area. The mile is by the barn and silo. There is a hill at about 1 ¼ miles leading up to the Hill Ward site. From there, the runners head down to the lake (runners need to stay on the gravel to the right of the paved pathway) and then across another set of fields as they approach the two mile mark. Shortly after two miles, the runners go up another steeper hill of approximately 175 meters. At the crest of the hill, the runners turn left down a gently descending path through the woods, coming out at another set of fields. At this point, runners are just over 1000 meters from the finish. Runners cross through the fields to a tree covered avenue. About 600 meters from the finish, the course turns to the right and head back towards the dog park. The dog park is approximately 400 meters from the finish.
The majority of the course is grass and dirt trails, with a little bit of gravel road thrown in for variety. There is a small amount of pavement (less than 5%). This is a good viewing course. The runners are in full view for most of the first mile, the middle, and again most of the last mile. With just a little bit of walking, coaches can see their runners for about 70% of the course. The course is wide open, with plenty of room to race, and with terrain for both “strength” & “speed” runners. Those runners who lose their focus can enjoy the fall foliage, the scenic & historic barns, and a lovely view of Mt. Rainier over Lake Waughop. Spikes are recommended.
Viewing The Race
Spectators may see the runners up close by just walking a few hundred yards from the start, and still be able to get back to the finish. These points will be on the course map as well. All of these points can be walked to after watching the start of the race. Of course, the energetic spectator can see even more.
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Opening mile loop: Good early view of the pack
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Old Corral: Just after the mile where things begin to happen.
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Hill Ward: This new site has pedestrian pathways up a labyrinth. You can see much of the course from "up above" as well as seing the runners up close as they crest the first hill.
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Lake Corner: The most popular viewing area. It's just across the gravel parking lot. A spectator can watch the start, be at the mile, walk to this point, and still have time to walk back to the finish for most races.
