Each year Lavern Gibson Championship Cross Country seems to add more and more races to the course. The high school 5K season tends to start mid August and doesn't fully wrap up until mid November with Nike Cross Regionals.
Now this course can be daunting to the athletes, but to a first time parent or fan arriving at the course, it can be evening more confusing. To hopefully help you get rid of some of that confusion, I've put together a map of the course with a couple different options of where to get the best views of the race.
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1-4: This strategy is the simplest option, but you don't see a whole lot of the race. This is the best option for those that are mobility impaired, as you don't have to go downhill at all. This view gives you the start, about 400m in, and then it is just a few steps around the finish building to the finish line. Now since the start/finish is up on a hill, you can still see the rest of the race, but it is not the greatest view and could be difficult to make out runners from that far away.
1-3-4: This one just adds a little to the first viewing option, and gives you a little more of the race. Here you'd get to see the start, the middle and the finish and not have to rush very much. From 1-3 you do have to go down a little bit of a hill and then back up just a little.
7-3-6-4: If your more of a fan of seeing the gun go off with your own two eyes, this is a perfect option for you, as you'll start not far from where the starter will be standing. From there you will have plenty of time to get over to roughly just past the 2 mile mark, and from there you get to about the 3500m mark before getting over to the finish. This route is a little more suited for those of you who are willing to run, especially between 3-6-4, as those will be quick moves.
1-2-3-4 or 4-2-3-4: The chronological movement. This is definitely not for those of you who aren't willing to run. Starting at either 1 or 4, you will see the start, then you will have to take off to get over to 2, which is just about the 1 mile marker. From there your will have to go quick and be careful not to cross in the way of the runners, to get over to 3. From 3 you'll get to jog a little, to get back over to 4 to see the finish.
5-8-3-6: If you're feeling adventurous and are not as interested in visually seeing the start and finish this could be a great one for you. You could potentially start about ½ way between 1 and 5 to hear the gun and then run on over to 5, which is the 1K marker. From 5 you'll have a bit of a trek or run over to 8 which would be about 2400m in. From 8 it's just a quick jog over to 3 before heading right over to 6 to see the runners just before they hit the 4K marker.
1-2-8-3-6-4: This is definitely for those of you that may think you can keep up with the lead runners and well, want to prove it. Here you get pretty much the entire race. Start at 1, then go for what feels like a mile to get over to #2 for the mile marker, then over to 8 where the runners are about 2400m in, then quickly to 3 just before 3K. Head on over to 6 where the runners are about to enter their final few turns. Then right on over to 4 to hopefully watch the finish.
We're sure you have a favorite way to get through the course and see your athletes race. Feel free to share your secret and best viewing spots with us, the more options the better.
Please though, whatever you decide to do, do not get in the way of any runners on the course. Stay off the course while runners are on it as much as you possibly can. There will be times you'll have to cross the course to get to other parts. Wait until the runners have passed you or there is plenty of clearance to get across safely. This is the runners time to shine, don't do anything that could cause them to be impeded.
Courtesy also extends to taking pictures or videos on your phone or other devices. Avoid sticking your device into the path or leaning into the path to get the shots you want. This causes other fans from not being able to see as well. If you really feel the need to do this, please find an isolated part of the course to do so and make sure to keep both the device and yourself out of the runners' ways.