United States Track & Field and Cross Country Running News | Top Stories, Headlines, Articles (2024)

Long Beach Poly, Wilson Among CIF-SS Finals' Biggest Winners Ryan Blystone May 12, 2024

Long Beach rivals Poly and Wilson had a banner day at the CIF-SS Division finals and so did many others who battled for championships and to extend their season

Braelyn Combe Drops Fastest 1,600m Effort At CIF SS Finals Cory Mull May 12, 2024

Watch out for Braelyn Combe over the next few weeks.

Vance Nilsson Nets 300mH National Record, Dips Under 35 Cory Mull May 11, 2024

Vance Nilsson set his sights on the 300 meter hurdle national record on Saturday at the AIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Ben Smith Enters Into Elite Company With Historic Shot Put Cory Mull May 11, 2024

Sometimes all you need is a moment. That's what Ben Smith captured on March 6 at the Fond du Lac Quad meet.

WATCH: Jimmy Wischusen Takes Down Loaded Loucks Mile Cory Mull May 11, 2024

The boys mile at the Loucks Games featured a breakaway in the final lap from a New Jersey standout.

Haz East CC/WR/TF Alum Charles Johnson Fights UFC FN Sat-STL Chris Auckley May 11, 2024

Former Hazelwood Central All-State middle distance, cross country runner, and wrestling competes in UFC Fight Night in STL May 11.

Flashback Friday: Putman's Wild 800m Win Gabriel Hernandez May 10, 2024

Photo Credit: David Nguyen / MileSplit - This Flashback Friday we are looking back at the 2023 Loucks Games.

The Top Year-Over-Year Improvements In The 100m So Far Maxx Bradley May 09, 2024

With just over a month left in the high school outdoor season, let's take a look and see which sprinters have made the biggest jump over the years in the 100m.

Ryan McClay May 09, 2024

Previews, Live Streams, Photos, Videos, Recaps. All of it will be right here for all four locations!

Top Sprints Recruit Jaden Wiley Signs With Florida Tim Casey May 08, 2024

Jaden Wiley of Duluth (GA) will join the Florida Gators in the fall.

Olivia Ekpone May 08, 2024

The emerging trend of becoming a technology-focused athlete helped Sophia and Victoria Rodriguez to have a successful 2024 season.

Maxx Bradley May 08, 2024

Photo Credit: Nevin Watson/Georgia MileSplit - Check out five of the top stories to watch this weekend at the Georgia State Track & Field Championships.

Loucks Returns As The Premier Invite Of Spring: Full Preview Kyle Brazeil May 08, 2024

Some of the best talents on the East Coast are heading to White Plains High School, to get their last big Invitational effort out of the way before the Champion

Erik Jenkins Helps USF Track Become Nationally-Ranked Team Tim Casey May 07, 2024

Erik Jenkins is leading the University of South Florida to new heights in track and field.

The Top 4x800 Boys Teams In The Country Based On 800m Depth Maxx Bradley May 07, 2024

We compiled a list of the top 100 800m squads in the country based on season best marks.

WATCH: Brady Mullen Shatters 28-Year-Old 3,200m State Record Olivia Ekpone May 07, 2024

At the LHSAA 5A State Championships, Brady Mullen took down a 28-year-old 3,200m state record in 8:48.36.

Future Stars: These Three Sophom*ores Rise To The Occasion Gabriel Hernandez May 07, 2024

Check back in on three young talents who are re-writing the record books.

USATF Reconsiders, Decides To Field A U20 World Team Olivia Ekpone May 06, 2024

USATF announced Monday that it has reversed its original stance and will field a U20 team to head to Lima, Peru for the World U20 Championships.

National Girls Performer Of The Week (4/29-5/5) Olivia Ekpone May 06, 2024

It's time to vote for this week's National Girls Performer Of The Week.

National Boys Performer Of The Week (4/29-5/5) Maxx Bradley May 06, 2024

Take a look at the eighth slate of nominees for the National Boys Performer of the Week.

Top 15 Outdoor Performances From The Past Week (4/29-5/5) Olivia Ekpone May 06, 2024

State meets across the country took place over the first week of May, so let's see who had the top performances.

WATCH: Quincy Wilson Runs No. 8 All-Time At PUMA East Coast Olivia Ekpone May 06, 2024

At the Puma East Coast Showcase, Quincy Wilson clocked a lifetime best in the 400m with a 45.17 and moved up to No. 8 all-time on the leaderboard.

Check Out Photos From The CIF SS Division I Prelims MileSplit Staff May 06, 2024

Jacob Teng was on site to cover the CIF SS Division I Prelims on Saturday in Mission Viejo.

Duncanville's 1:22.25 Shatters 4x200 Relay National Record William Grundy May 04, 2024

Watch and read how Duncanville blazed a 1:22.25 to repeat as state champions and shatter a National Record.

Isabel Allori Runs 10:04.16 Colorado 3,200 State Record Bobby Reyes May 04, 2024

Liberty Common senior Isabel Allori torched a 10:04.16 in the 3,200 on Day Two of the Patriot League Meet for a new Colorado state record.

The Texas Class 6A Boys Team Title? Here Are Our Picks. MileSplit Staff May 04, 2024

Will Grundy and Shane Meling discuss their thoughts on who they think will take the Class 6A boys team title race.

FB Marshall Breaks 40/McKinney North Defends 4x4 Title William Grundy May 04, 2024

Fort Bend Marshall runs 39.88 in the 4x100 and wins the 4x200 while McKinney North defends their title in the 4x400.

Zariel Macchia Claims Her Best Mile, Plus New York History Kyle Brazeil May 04, 2024

In two consecutive weeks, we've seen two of the fastest female miles ever run by a New Yorker.

United States Track & Field and Cross Country Running News | Top Stories, Headlines, Articles (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of cross country running? ›

Although open-air running competitions are prehistoric, the rules and traditions of cross country racing emerged in Britain. The English championship became the first national competition in 1876, and the International Cross Country Championships was held for the first time in 1903.

Why is cross country a good sport? ›

Your heart rate goes up more, too. And that's a huge benefit. Off-road racing is a very effective way to develop your cardiovascular system, producing a powerful heart, an efficient set of lungs, and a dense network of capillaries to transport oxygen to the muscle fibres. And it makes you stronger upstairs, too.

What is cross country track? ›

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.

What is cross country in school? ›

Cross Country or "XC" is long distance running. How long? Roughly 3 miles to 5 kilometers. Running terrain can consist of dirt, grass, concrete, and hills. A Team: 7 runners make up a Varsity or Frosh-Soph squad.

What is a cross country runner called? ›

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.

How many mile do you run in cross country? ›

The Variable Length of Cross Country Races

Typically, distances range from 1.5 miles (about 2.4km) to 6.2 miles (10km), sometimes extending to 12km. For junior athletes, races are shorter to accommodate developing endurance levels. Senior races, however, can push athletes to cover more ground.

Why XC is the hardest sport? ›

Success in cross-country certainly does not come easy, and for multiple reasons. First, unlike track runners, cross-country athletes have to run for farther distances and times, meaning that good stamina is a must. “They're running longer (than track runners) and the races are 3 miles…

What sport is harder cross country or swimming? ›

Like the common answers you'll see, its both physically and mentally tough. Cross country is harder on the runners body due to the pounding the legs take. A swimming workout generally burns more calories and is physiologically harder.

What are the pros and cons of cross country? ›

Cross-country is a sport that brings people together, improves overall health and even benefits memory and mood. On the other hand, running can result in injury and less time dedicated to school. In the end running is about evaluating the good and bad, and deciding for yourself if the sport is worth it.

Which one is easier, track or cross country? ›

Cross country is longer distance and in my opinion much harder than track; however, my favorite part is running and watching others run along with socializing and hanging out with my teammates,” sophom*ore runner Max Gutierrez said.

Is there a difference between cross country and track and field? ›

Cross country has longer distance runs and different terrains to run on, while track only has one terrain and multiple events. Both are great sports and many people who enjoy running do both so they can continue running all year round. “I do both spring and winter track and then cross country in the fall,” said Scott.

Does cross country make you slower for track? ›

It's not going to make you slower. If you have high resistance and a lower cadence and are basically spinning at a lower R.P.M. with a higher resistance, that could make you slower.

What do you need to be good at cross country? ›

Long runs, tempo work, and long and short intervals interspersed with maintenance and recovery runs are the basic building blocks of training. For cross country, however, you'll need to incorporate terrain, elevation, and course changes that mimic what you'll encounter on race day.

What age can you start cross country? ›

Ages 13 to 15

This may be the age when your young runner joins a school cross-country or track team with a more structured training program. Take caution, though: Overuse injuries can become a concern as children up their training, warns Dr. Calabrese.

What is the history and origin of running? ›

Competitive running grew out of religious festivals in various areas. Records of competitive racing date back to the Tailteann Games in Ireland between 632 BCE and 1171 BCE, while the first recorded Olympic Games took place in 776 BCE. Running has been described as the world's most accessible sport.

Why is it called a cross country? ›

cross-country, long-distance running over open country; unlike the longer marathon race, cross-country races usually are not run along roads or paths.

How many times a week should a cross country runner run? ›

One long run a week (Saturday), similar to those I prescribe for marathoners, has as its purpose improving aerobic fitness and endurance. Easy runs of 30 minutes are scheduled for two of the other three days of the week (Wednesday, Friday) with the final day (Sunday) an optional day of rest or run.

What is the history of track and field? ›

Track and field has been around since the start of the Olympics in Ancient Greece in 776 B.C. It was created alongside religious events and celebrations for the Greek gods where men (no women were allowed) could show off their athletic abilities.

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