Take a look outside this morning. Finally a good, big and happy snowfall. Looking out my window I see a bunch of runners. Shorts and singlets and spikes, that’s it. That fella over there nearly browned out in mud, another’s bare legs pink as a Maine lobster. And him with the sanguine rivulets showing the closeness of competition.
Real Runners Love Cross Country. A good place here to acknowledge one of the earliest influences of my own running career. Craig Virgin grew up a couple of years (Track and Field News HS Athlete of the Year 1973) before and a couple hours south of me. Still holds the Illinois Boys HS XC State Record of 13:50.6 set in 1972. Craig ran 8:40.9 for two miles to break Steve Prefontaine’s national record of 8:41.5. Ran 27:29.16 for 10000 in 1980, the second fastest time in history when recorded. Two time IAAF World XC Champion. That’s the one that I admire the most. World Champ. Twice. Dig it. When the United States had No Fear and Big Balls. I’d suggest before a large majority of you readers were no more than a twinkle in your daddy’s eye.
It’s the one in a generation that you remember.
A hero in the midst. Seth Hirsch just off the front trio. In the mud, nothing like cross.
The top four runners all broke 15:00 . Jonathan Davis, Oakwood IL (14:57.0), Paul Roberts, Longmont, CO (14:57.7), Ben Veatch, Carmel, IN (14:57.9), Andrew Jordan, Pataskala, OH (14:59.1). Next was Brayden Law, Fort Wayne, IN (15:03.2). And in 6th overall is Seth Hirsch (15:11.3). Congratulations to Coach Johnston and young master Hirsch!
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