After a number of hot, humid days, the cool fall air is just around the corner. Cooler fall weather will soon greet us as we go out for a run or race. This cooler weather combined with the colorful Ohio autumn will allow for some excellent running conditions over the next few months. Many athletes will be testing their summer training in an upcoming fall race. A number of runners will tackle a half marathon or marathon. Good luck!
Numerous junior and senior high school and college runners are in the midst of another cross country season. Many consider cross country one of the purest sports. If not racing yourself, hopefully you will be able to watch an upcoming cross country race and cheer on these athletes. Check out Rod O’Donnell’s updated article “Life Lessons from Cross-Country”.
Mark your calendar for a couple of outstanding cross country events. The All Ohio Intercollegiate Cross Country Championships will be hosted by Cedarville University on September 28. The Men’s Championship has been held since 1955 and the Women’s Championship has been held since 1981. Most of the Ohio colleges and universities will be racing this year.
The locations and dates of various Cross Country Championships - on October 26: Great Midwest Athletic Conference at Ursuline College and Heartland Conference at Rose-Holman - on November 2: Mid American Conference at Northern Illinois; Ohio Athletic Conference at John Carroll University; North Coast Athletic Conference at Wabash University; Great Lakes Conference at Purdue University Northwest; River State Conference at Carlow University – on November 3: Big Ten Conference at Ohio State University. The USATF National Club Cross Country Championships will be held December 14 on the Lehigh University Cross Country Course in Bethlehem, PA. A women’s RUNOHIO team won this Championships years ago and also finish fifth. http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2019/USATF-National-Club-Cross-Country-Championships.aspx
The 91st boys and 42nd girls Ohio High School Athletic Association State Cross Country Championships will be held November 2nd at Hebron’s National Trail Raceway. There are three boys and three girls Championship races contested each year with 96 teams and over 950 athletes competing. Over 10,000 spectators watch these high school athletes compete. https://www.ohsaa.org/Sports-Tournaments/Cross-Country/Cross-Country-2019/2019-OHSAA-Cross-Country-State-Tournament-Coverage
I will be helping with the 32nd annual Circleville Classic 5 Mile in Memory of Jeff McGowan & Jean McGowan on October 19th. The race starts at Circleville High School and finishes on the McGowan Family Track. The race will be held the Saturday of this year’s 113th Circleville Pumpkin Show, which is held in downtown Circleville, one mile from the school. Volunteers are always welcome.