BECOME A MILESPLIT INSIDER
By John Jones
What is the responsibility of the coach, athlete and meet director when it comes to knowing a cross country course? What happens to runners if they go off course?
The meet director should make the course available for inspection and running prior to the meet. If this is a championship course then a pre-meet should be held to allow everyone to compete on the course. A course map should be available but is of limited value. With modern technology it also is possible to video the course and make a virtual tour available.
Each coach has to determine the value of knowing the course. Some coaches are content with letting their team warm up on the course just prior to the race. I always try to participate in a pre-race whenever possible. At the least, I like to have my team run the course the day prior to the meet.
Each athlete is different but I think most would like to run the course the day prior and then discuss strategy with their coach.
It is the responsibility of the meet director to mark the course properly. If the course is marked properly, then it becomes the responsibility of the runner to know the course and stay on it.
Jones is a coach at Spring Valley and prepares courses for several meets in the state.