what is a cross country course

Full Answer

How long is a cross country course?

The professional cross country course is approximately two and three quarter to four miles long. It should contain twenty-four to thirty-six fixed and solid xc obstacles of mixed variety and the course should be ridden at a good gallop. Cross country courses require both horse and rider to be bold and smart.

How to design a cross country course?

Women's Cross Country

• Rim Rock Farm. About the course: This historic course was home to the men’s championship in 1965, ‘66 and ‘98. ...
• Wayne E. ...
• Apalachee Regional Park. ...
• Lavern Gibson. ...
• Van Cortlandt Park. ...
• Oklahoma State Cross Country Course. ...
• Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course. ...
• Goodman Campus Cross Country Course. ...
• Honorable mentions: Did we miss one? ...

How do you run cross country?

• What: Snow Canyon Cross-Country Color Run.
• When: Saturday, Aug. 14 at 8 a.m.
• Where: Snow Canyon High School, 1385 Warrior Way, St. George.
• Admission: $10 per person or $45 per family.
• Resources: Event flyer.

What is the best training for cross country running?

• NCAA Cross Country
• Cross Country Championships
• The English National Cross-Country Championships

What is cross country running?

How long is a cross country race?

What are the USATF cross country championships?

How many men's cross country teams are there?

How long is a sand volleyball course?

What is the equipment used in cross country?

When was the first USATF Masters 5 km race?

See more

About this website

How many miles is a cross country course?

Cross-country is a team running sport that takes place in the fall on a measured 5000 meter (3.1 miles) High School course or 2 mile course for the Jr.

How many jumps in a cross country course?

Every cross country course consists of r oughly 12 to 35 fixed and solid jumps. The jumps are made to look natural, being made out of logs, stone walls, tall grasses and water. Sometimes though, the jumps will be made to look unusual and scary to test the horse's bravery and courage.

How long are most cross country courses?

US college distances: In the United States, cross-country runners race on courses of varying lengths—usually between eight kilometers (a little under five miles) and ten kilometers (a little over six miles) for men and five kilometers to six kilometers (a little under four miles) for women.

What is the difference between high school track and cross country?

Cross country races are run on uneven and difficult surfaces that range from grass to dirt to mud, whereas track competes on a flat surface, usually an all-weather track.

Do horses like cross-country?

All the horses I have at my barn, I lead them around and they try to take me out to the cross-country area. They get so excited even just looking at it. They definitely love it. You can't make them do it.

What breed of horse is best for cross-country?

Most horses that compete today are Thoroughbreds, Thoroughbred-crosses (including the Irish Horse), and lightly built Warmbloods, or Warmbloods with a high degree of Thoroughbred blood, such as the Trakehner.

Is cross country hard?

What is overlooked, however, when it comes to cross country is it is one of the hardest sports from a training standpoint, where the actual meet is more of a reward than a challenge, and that it takes a certain breed of person to run the 3.1-mile course, especially when you have to run miles and miles to get ready for ...

What happens at a cross country meet?

Everyone runs the same course, and although the first 7 runners to finish are considered the scoring team, at every meet ALL athletes get to participate. There are no cuts, and no bench to sit on and watch while others play!

What is the hardest cross country course?

The world's toughest cross-country courses2008 World Cross Country Championships — Edinburgh, Scotland. ... 2019 CCAA Cross Country Championships — Grand Prairie, Alta. ... 2019 Australian World XC Trials — Canberra, Australia. ... 2012 Gunner Shaw Memorial Cross-Country Race — Vancouver.More items...•

Is cross country harder than track?

Not really. Track has the merits of consistency and variety, while cross-country pulls ahead in difficulty and team bonding. Both are extremely important aspects of a successful running program, so while we all have our favorite season, I encourage you to try out them both!

Is cross country just running?

Cross country is more than just running. It takes a team and mentally strong individuals to achieve their goals. “Running cross country takes a lot of passion, persistence and hard work,” junior Ben Lentz said.

What do you do in cross country?

Cross country running is a sport in which teams and individuals run races on outdoor courses over natural terrain. Races shall be run over courses confined, to the extent possible, to open country, fields, parks, golf courses, and grasslands. The traversing of paved roads should be kept to a minimum.

How many jumps are in a showjumping course?

A showjumping course is the planned route of jumps laid out across an arena that you must follow during a competition. There are usually 10–15 obstacles and they will be set out in a pattern that allows them to be tackled in a set order.

How many jumps are there in showjumping?

8-16 jumpsCourses are usually made out of 8-16 jumps. You'll want to make sure you can control your horse and complete a course. What is this? A show jumping course can consist of turns, angles, combinations, certain stride-lengths, and intimidating jumps.

How many jumps are there?

Men and women compete in four jumping events: the high jump, long jump, triple jump, and pole vault.

How many jumps are in a hunter course?

Hunter courses typically consist of eight to 10 jumps that are more organic in form and generally lower in height than fences used in jumper classes.

cross-country | running sport | Britannica

cross-country, also called cross-country running, long-distance running over open country; unlike the longer marathon race, cross-country races usually are not run along roads or paths. Events are held during the fall or winter months, and many amateur athletes use the sport as a means of keeping fit and developing stamina. A form of cross-country running in the early 19th century was called ...

How many meters is the Wisconsin cross country course?

About the course : According to Wisconsin, its cross country course features an exterior loop of approximately 2,500 meters and an interior loop of 1,000 meters. Both loops cover the area's rolling hills and valleys, while the outside loop also runs through a section of dense woods, which are aflame with color in the fall. The course opened in 2009, and used the course at Indiana State as inspiration.

What is the oldest cross country race in the country?

Oklahoma State Cross Country Course. About this course: This course is home to one of the oldest cross country races in the country, the Cowboy Jamboree, which began back in 1937. The course is grass, with wood chips and rolling hills.

What is XC town?

The course and town has been nicknamed "XC Town USA," following similar suit to Eugene, Oregon, which is known as TrackTown USA. The site sits on a reclaimed coal mine and features a mix of uphill and downhill sections, while being nestled amongst trees.

Who was the cross country coach at Indiana State?

The late Indiana State cross country coach John McNichols created the vision for the course, which was specifically created for cross country races. The course also has a press box and many areas for spectators to watch the race. A classic... the Lavern Gibson in Terre Haute!

Who donated the Kansas State Golf Course?

The location was actually donated to Kansas by coach Bob “Timmie’ Timmons. According to the university's website, the course features six ponds and two covered bridges, with black-painted steel silhouettes of athletes such as Jim Ryun, Billy Mills, Johnny Lawson, Wes Santee, Herb Semper and Al Frame.

What is cross country running?

Also known as XC running, cross country running is a form of racing that takes place in open-air, natural environments and seldom run along paths or roads. From obstacle to jump over, steep hills, and slippery muddy descent, cross country running offers a broad range of challenges that will literally keep every runner on their feet.

How to train for cross country?

To properly train for and run a cross-country race, make sure you have proper footwear. Picking the proper pair is key to reduce your injury risk while subsequently improving your performance. Runners who compete in X-C races usually used spiked shoes.

How far is XC running?

Just like other races, XC running varies in distance and will typically depend on the age group, but typically the distances from 4km to 12km. Some of the most popular XC running events include: The annual World Cross Country Championships. NCAA Cross Country.

Why are cross country events rarely cancelled?

These include rain, snow, wind, ice, hail as well as heatwaves. In fact, cross-country events are seldom canceled because of adverse and bad weather.

When was cross country first held?

English schools began holding competitions in cross country running as far back as 1837, then on the 7 th December 1867, the national championship was held for the first time on Wimbledon Common in south-west London, then the first international one took place in 1903 at Hamilton Park Racecourse in Scotland. Not long thereafter, cross country ...

How far can you run in XC?

As previously explained, typical XC running events range from 4 to 12 kilometers. All these distances are primarily aerobic, meaning if you go off the gate too fast, you’ll run yourself into the ground in the latter portions of the race.

How long is a cross country course?

The cross-country course is approximately two and three quarter to four miles (6 km) long, comprising some twenty-four to thirty-six fixed and solid obstacles. Obstacles usually are built to look "natural" (out of logs, for instance), however odd materials and decorations may be added to test the horse's bravery.

How many times do you walk a cross country course?

Riders walk a cross-country course, usually between 1-3 times, before they actually ride it. This allows them to evaluate the course and determine how each jump needs to be ridden. While walking the course, riders need to be sure to pay attention to:

How many days do you have to train a horse for cross country?

Conditioning is an essential part of preparing a horse for cross-country. Although the lowest levels may not require anymore riding than the usual 5 or 6 days each week used to train the horse, all upper level horses are placed into strict conditioning programs.

What is cross country jumping?

Cross country equestrian jumping is an endurance test that form s one of the three phases of the sport of eventing; it may also be a competition in its own right, known as hunter trials or simply "cross-country", although these tend to be lower-level, local competitions. The object of the endurance test is to prove the speed, ...

What is the purpose of endurance test?

The object of the endurance test is to prove the speed, endurance and jumping ability of the true cross-country horse when he is well trained and brought to the peak of condition. At the same time, it demonstrates the rider's knowledge of pace and the use of this horse across country.

What type of boots are used for cross country?

Tall boots are most likely the most popular footwear choice by cross country riders. This is because these boots not only look professional when you are riding the horse, but they also help to protect the rider’s leg from getting pinched by the saddle during the ride.

Is cross country a race?

Cross country, in some ways, is like a race. The horses that compete in this discipline compete to complete an obstacle course in the fastest time possible. A fast horse is preferable for this sport so getting a good time is easier for you and the horse.

What is cross country style?

When it comes to colours for your outfit, the cross-country phase provides a lot more freedom of choice than dressage and showjumping. The general idea of choosing a colour scheme and pattern is to be as individual as possible so that you stand out from other riders and are more visible to judges and approaching riders on the spread-out country course.

What is cross country horse riding?

Cross-country horse riding — sometimes referred to as just cross-country, “XC” or as Hunter trials — is an equestrian sport that sees rider and horse tackling a long course with jumps and other obstacles designed to simulate riding at speed across the countryside.

What is British Eventing membership?

British Eventing membership. To compete in affiliated cross-country riding at events, you will need to become a member of British Eventing. There are a few options: Full Rider Membership: Allows you to enter unlimited events through the eventing season (March to October) and gives you priority entry to balloted events.

What to use for cross country training?

When you’re training for cross-country, simple fences, like logs and rolltops can be useful when you are trying to build endurance and pace. However, your horse will get plenty of practice with simple jumps during showjumping training, so you’ll need to switch things up if you want to get your horse brave enough to comfortably handle the more complicated obstacles in cross-country.

What does "run out" mean in horse racing?

A refusal: If the horse stops when faced with an obstacle. A run-out: If the horse avoids passing its body over the obstacle. A circle: A horse can circle/cross its tracks around an obstacle without penalty provided it has not already jumped the next one.

What to do before cross country?

Before you participate in the cross-country phase of an event, you will have the opportunity to view a plan of the course and to walk it. Walking the course is an essential part of your preparation before riding it, as it allows you to see in person what’s in store and to formulate a plan for each jump.

What happens if a horse fails to stop when told to on the course?

If a rider fails to stop when told to on the course, they will be eliminated. If a rider deliberately obstructs the route of an overtaking rider, they will be eliminated. If a rider overtakes another horse unsafely, they will be eliminated.

What is cross country?

Cross Country (XC) is a wonderful sport of a lifetime that encourages both individual and team participation and a love for running. If you are a ‘newbie’ parent and have a ‘newbie’ son or daughter that wants to try Cross Country, here are a few things to help you get started:

What is the great thing about cross country?

The great thing about cross country at this level is that everyone who tries out for the sport generally gets to compete. Even though the first 7 runners to finish are considered the “scoring team”, everyone still gets to run and try to contribute to the team’s scoring. In most school districts, there are no cuts, and.

How long is a high school race?

High school races are usually 3.1 miles long, and junior high races are usually 2 miles long. The courses oftentimes take place at public parks or golf courses and parents are allowed to attend and cheer them on from anywhere on the course.

What to wear for running in cold weather?

For warm weather running or cold weather running, proper attire can also be extremely helpful. This would include shirt, shorts and even socks that aide in wisking away moisture during very warm weather and proper cold weather running gear as well.

How to prepare for a race day?

You can assist by having the proper foods available in the house and planning a proper meal for race day. Avoid fatty and fried foods, and carbonated (soda)or acidic drinks. Encourage small portions of easily digested food eaten about 3 hours before racing. A lot of these foods will be in the form of carbohydrates.

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What is cross country running?

World Championships. 1973–. Cross country running is a sport in which teams and individuals run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain such as dirt or grass. Sometimes the runners are referred to as harriers. The course, typically 4–12 kilometres (2.5–7.5 mi) long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, ...

How long is a cross country race?

Sometimes the runners are referred to as harriers. The course, typically 4–12 kilometres (2.5–7.5 mi) long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands ...

What are the USATF cross country championships?

The USA Cross Country Championships, first held in 1890, include six races: masters women (8 km), masters men (8 km), junior women (6 km), junior men (8 km), open women (8 km) and open men (12 km). In addition to crowning national champions, the championships serve as the trials race to select the Team USA squad for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. The USATF Masters 5 km Cross Country Championships, first held in 2002, incl men's race and a women's race. The USATF National Club Cross Country Championships, first held in 1998, feature the top clubs from across the United States as they vie for honors and bragging rights as the nation's top cross country team. The USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships, first held in 2001, has raced for boys and girls in five different two-year age divisions.

How many men's cross country teams are there?

Over 900 men's cross country teams and over 1000 women's cross country teams compete in the three divisions of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Men usually race 10 km (6.2 mi) or 8 km (5.0 mi), and women usually race 6 km (3.7 mi) or 5 km (3.1 mi). Every state offers cross country as a high school sport for boys and girls.

How long is a sand volleyball course?

The course, typically 4–12 kilometres (2.5–7.5 mi) long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road. It is both an individual and a team sport; runners are judged on individual times and teams by a points-scoring method.

What is the equipment used in cross country?

Equipment. Cross country running involves very little specialized equipment. Most races are run in shorts and vests or singlets, usually in club or school colours. In particularly cold conditions, long-sleeved shirts and tights can be worn to retain warmth without losing mobility.

When was the first USATF Masters 5 km race?

The USATF Masters 5 km Cross Country Championships, first held in 2002, incl men's race and a women's race. The USATF National Club Cross Country Championships, first held in 1998, feature the top clubs from across the United States as they vie for honors and bragging rights as the nation's top cross country team.

Overview

Course

The cross-country course is approximately two and three quarter to four miles (6 km) long, comprising some twenty-four to thirty-six fixed and solid obstacles. Obstacles usually are built to look "natural" (out of logs, for instance), however odd materials and decorations may be added to test the horse's bravery. Obstacles can include all those that might be found if riding across the countryside, including water, trees, logs, ditches, and banks.

Conditioning

Ideal cross-country mount

Scoring

Levels of Eventing

Types of cross country obstacles

See also