World XC in the USA!!
My trip to the World Athletics Cross Country Championships got off to an auspicious start eight days before we even left for the plane. I was actually in the process of planning my vacation, a second trip out to the distance training mecca of Flagstaff Arizona (with stops in Prescott, Sedona and Phoenix) when we had an unanticipated schedule change. I had purchased the airline tickets and was in the middle of finalizing the three AirBnb’s for the Arizona trip when I got a notification from airBnb about one of the places I had reserved. After sifting through all the emails and notifications I was getting, I realized it was for my impending trip to Florida, and the message which came through explained the bungalow in Murray Hill had burnt down overnight. That night was New Year’s but hey, not sure everyone wrung in a happy new year.
I quickly turned around and located another option, very nice but not quite as funky as the Murray Hill digs. But that’s alright, as we were really only concerned about watching some high level cross country action and to get a temporary respite from this below average winter and seemingly daily snow pattern; even if it is just for a few days.
We left the house just before 4am for a short trip to Manchester. MHT was pretty much dead at 5am and our flight into Baltimore was only half full. However all that changed for our second flight, as unbeknownst to me and my lack of concern about any sports other than running there was a fooseball game taking place there against the Bills of Buffalo. This added a rowdy theme at the gate and on the plane, with the entire flight sold out. Chances are we might be changing some of our dining plans as our Airbnb is only a bridge away from Everbank Stadium.
When the plane touched down it wasn’t long before we realized we were no longer in Kansas anymore. Out the window our baggage handlers were in shorts and tshirts. It was also easily recognizable as soon as we stepped outside to pick up our rental, as the temp when got in the road registered 78 and climbing.
After a nice lunch we opted to work it off by visiting the Riverwalk, a bit of an urban oasis along the very industrialized bank of the St. John’s River which splits Jacksonville in half. Just a river taxi across was Everbank Stadium along with the Everbank HQs it’s named after. While I had thoughts to run the 1.25 boardwalk up and back, the mid 80s temps, our recent lunch and no towels to keep the seats dry we instead geared up for a uptempo walk that looked to seek out the shady patches wherever they might be.
After that we headed to our new digs, happy to find they hadn’t burned down like the ones I originally had lined up. While nothing fancy, the host had done a good job refurbishing a garage into a studio apartment and while not lavish, it was adequately appointed and certainly would do for the weekend.
We were on the road by 6:45am the next morning, looking to get a jump on the 2:15 drive we had to get us to Tallahassee. With not much to sightsee, Gretch snoozed most of the drive while we whipped off 136 miles straight on Route 10. We arrived at Apalachee Park at 8:45am, one hour before the start of the mixed relay. Plenty of time for me to reacquaint myself with the layout and find a prime spot for spectating.
We settled in a spot about 200 meters down from the start and 200 meters from the finish. We could see the teams warming up behind the starting line, where a huge rendition of the statehouse fashioned from drapery and scaffolding. National team tents were sequestered behind here as well, allowing for teams to make a grand entrance coming out through the staging when announced.
The vibe was cool. Hundreds of high school and collegiate cross country t-shirts on display on spectators of every age. Members of national contingents roaming around looking for great places to yell coaching advice. Parents of racers, both pros and under racing around cheering for their competitors. Not to mention the refreshment and food trucks, swag vendors, and info media outlets all adding to aura of the event. I mean they even had a beer garden.
And the racing was fantastic. I was hoping to be able to write about a US victory or some incredible story line but in truth, the story line was simply about the US; and more specifically the state of Florida and the community of Tallahassee hosting one helluva celebration around the best sport in the world and pulled it off spectacularly.
I don’t want people to think I wasn’t impressed with how the US raced either. We certainly went for it on all levels. But I mean we are talking the best of the best. If you don’t know, look up Agnes Ngetich and Jacob Kiplimo on Google. Also while you’re at it, look up the team results over the last 15 or so years and see the teams that have finished on the podium. Top three is a tough nut to crack.
And the U20 men did that, finishing third as a team by running 16-18-19-22. They had some luck as Ethiopia had to run without a full squad, the rest of the guys having last minute visa issues. Things were a bit tougher for the U20 ladies and both the senior women’s and men’s teams, finishing just outside in fourth. In that men’s race, Wesley Kiptoo led the first of five laps before Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia asserted themselves at the fore. And when Kiplimo decided it was the time towards the beginning of the last lap to show everyone he is indeed currently on another planet. It was awesome just to be on-site while it happened.
Then there was the heat. When we got back to the car after the racing, the temp on the dash read 82. History shows the US does better when the temps are lower.
I read in an interview Parker Wolfe stated it was the hardest thing he’s ever done, hanging on as the best in the world wind things up. There is a great picture out there with Graham Blanks head resting on Wolfe’s leg as they both lie oin the ground spent, just past the finish line.
I got to watch the senior ladies leave the finish area without Weini Kelati, her having run towards the front before drifting back over the last lap and struggling to the line. She would be fine, just spending a little time in the finish line med tent to make sure. The US gave it their all; however, the game at World Cross is simply at another level.
As the races finished another cool thing occurred after the racers gathered their gear. Many eventually made their way out to join the spectators cheering on their national teams. For the senior races, I had half the New Zealand Junior Ladies team camped out next to me, their lilting accents making the spectating all the more fun. I saw Karissa Schweiser’s folks walk by, trying to figure the best way to catch up with their daughter. I saw college teammates from three different national teams find each other after the finish line for their usual team hug.
All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience I question whether I will ever have the ability to pull off again. I hope someday I do, whether the championships return to the US, or they end up in a place I’d like to visit. I’ve already asked Tim whether NHCC might be able to get credentials for something like this and he indicated there might be a slight chance. I mean what could be better than a live NHCC simulcast for one more bit of cross country action?
I’m pretty Sheedy’d be down with it.
I’ll see you out there.
