There are seasonal reminders we all recognize—sharper evening temperature drops, shorter days. Somehow the one that always sneaks up on me is cross country season. One minute the kids in the neighborhood are hosting a lemonade stand, the next they are running the annual CYO Cross Country Meet at Crown Beach Memorial Park.
I stumble into a crowded field of short legs in long jerseys. All the dads directing the course have on brightly colored jackets. Dust clouds spray up from the team huddles. Coaches attempt to corral kids who just learned to tie their shoes into a start line and off to the races.
Whether it’s third or eleventh graders, I cherish their efforts. Watching their limited-life-experience brains process their reality. Each step is an adventure. A feat. Such a nice break from the adult approach, slogging through or diligently timing each stride. They are new to the pain and joy and truly in a survival state.
The younger kids’ legs barely conquer the patches of high grass. They wander, push forward with no expectation of what’s over the next hill, feeling their wobbly legs bounce over ruts in the dirt and grabbing breaths of air when they remember.
The high schoolers, some not much more experienced, are settled into the pain. Their brows say this is hard but they continue. Is it team spirit or fear that keeps them going? I watch as their eyes trace the path and the rocks—stepping around or over—and find a stillness in their gait. So focused on the mission, the competition doesn’t strike them as such. I offer a little encouragement to a kid who is walking, he skips into a run, and catches up to his teammate.
Currently, I’m not running. I won’t miss a meet or a race, though. There are several on the calendar as I cheer on my favorite runner, 17-year-old Miles Jones, my stepson. No matter your personal motivation to run, watching and cheering are always available. It might even inspire you to start, return, coach, volunteer, or donate—all of which are needed.
Alameda High School Cross Country
Your local central Alameda high school team. Most of the events are not local, so if you did attend a race, you could catch any number of schools competing. Check their schedule.
Encinal High School Cross Country
Most of their meets are hosted by the WACC (West Alameda County Conference). If you can’t make it out to cheer, find a way to give back through their boosters page.
CYO Cross Country
Catholic Youth Organization, the local Oakland Diocese, hosts the Alameda-based annual Friday night meet in the park. There are a staggering number of schools present and ages range from kindergarten through eighth grade.
Oakland Athletic League
Oakland Athletic League has both middle and high school leagues. The high school teams each have their own website and booster club. Search directly for each school to learn more. ie Oakland Tech or Skyline High to learn more
USA Track & Field Pacific Area Cross Country (USATF PA XC)
Even the adults share in the fun. Last year I watched the oldest member of the PA cross the finish line with a walker. There are also very fast local squads that boast impressive times. The best part is that the races are super accessible to any level and all about using our local park systems.
What a season!
Contributing writer Lena Jones is an event producer adventuring with her family in Alameda and beyond. Contact her via [email protected]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Lena-Jones.
