If you are tired of the same old running program? Are you seeking a little spice and variety? Then Andre Kaokane of Cross Country Running Shoes 101 thinks that you should take a look at cross country. Cross country running is a popular sport that is growing fast all across the world. It started in England as a team sport, but today is practiced by runners of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels.
A big reason for its growing popularity is the variety of courses used for races and training. If running in circles around a track is not for you, then you should definitely give cross country a try! Besides hills and streams, you might come across grassy fields, beautiful forests, sand dunes, logs, or the occasional animal wandering past. You will certainly find it much more interesting than the treadmill. And don’t forget to bring a good pair of trail shoes.
There are also many different course lengths available, depending on ability and age group. Some courses cover only one mile (usually kids races), while others might stretch for nine or ten miles. Usually, all racers run on the same course at the same time. However, in a relay race, each runner on the team runs one at a time, and the courses can cover a hundred miles or more!
Some of the greatest distance runners on the track also were great champions in cross country. Paul Kibii Tergot won the IAAF Cross County Championship five years in a row – the first man to ever accomplish that feat. Likewise, the Norwegian Grete Waitz was the first woman to win the Championship for five consecutive years. She went on to compete in the marathon in the 1984 Olympics.
The great Steve Prefontaine started out in Coos Bay, Oregon, as a high school cross country runner. He later was the NCAA cross country champion three times from 1970-1973, then continued on to the University of Oregon where he dazzled the track world with his accomplishments.
Whether you are drawn to cross country for the personal challenge, the thrill of competition, or just the enjoyment of running with like-minded people in the beautiful outdoors – you should lace up a good pair of cross country running shoes, and give it a try!