Cross Country Running

running · outdoor sport · team sport · fall and winter

Racing Across Nature. Cross country running happens on open-air courses made of dirt, grass, and natural ground instead of smooth running tracks. Runners might dash through woodlands, charge up and down hills, and navigate gravel roads and small obstacles all in one race.

Weather Includes Everything. Cross country races usually happen in autumn and winter, which means runners might face rain, sleet, snow, hail, and freezing temperatures all on the same day. The challenging weather is actually part of what makes cross country so exciting and tough.

Long and Challenging. A typical cross country race is 3 to 12 kilometers long (about 2 to 7 miles), which is much longer than a sprint on a track. The distance varies depending on the age and skill level of the runners.

Individual and Team. Runners earn points based on their own finishing times, and their team's total score determines the team winner. This means you're racing for yourself but also trying to help your whole team succeed.

Team Name Tradition. Many cross country running teams have the word Harriers in their team names, which comes from an old hunting tradition. A harrier is a type of hunting dog, and the name stuck around in running culture.