General Information

WHAT IS CROSS COUNTRY?
Athletes usually race across open terrain, most often through a combination of woods, fields and hills. Not on a fixed track like in track and field. Course distances and terrains differ for each race but averages 1-1.8 miles. The greatest thing about cross country (XC) is that everyone competes! Everyone runs the same course. However, the first 7 runners to finish are considered the scoring team, but ALL the athletes get to participate. There are no cuts and no bench on which to sit and watch others compete. All athletes are expected to give their best in practice and at the meets. All runners will be required to run a minimum of a 15 minute mile to participate in the meets. Coaches are willing to work with and assist any runner that isn't meeting this requirement. This requirement is in place so none of our runners hold up the meets.

AGES: 
Scott Country Cross Country is open to all public school students grades Kindergarten-5th.

COMMUNICATION:
All information will be sent through Remind App. To sign up for the Scott County Elementary XC team, text @23abe6 to 81010.

FEES:
We do not charge any fees for Elementary Cross Country. Our team does have expenses. We pay registration fees for every runner for every race. To pay for this, we expect assistance with our fundraisers. Our main fundraiser is the Scott County Double "S" Stampede Cross Country Meet. We combine with Scott County High School, Great Crossing High School, the Scott County Middle School team and St John Catholic School to host a meet. It is mandatory that we have at least one adult from each family to help with this meet. It takes a lot of people to run a cross country meet. Every year attendance at our meet has improved. We host thousands of people. We are responsible for parking, entrance fees, purchasing and selling concessions, registration packets, t-shirt ordering and sales, finish line, awards, setting up and taking down the course. In the past, it has been held in the middle of September. We will let you know as soon as we have secured a date so you can make adjust your schedule to be there.

SEASON:
We usually begin practices the first Monday in August. We will send out information via the remind app with the official start date and times once it gets closer. Our season goes until the middle of October. A schedule will be given out once everything is confirmed.

PRACTICES:
Practices are generally three times a week for an hour after school. We meet at Scott County Park, behind Trinity Assembly of God Church, off of Cincinnati Road. Parents need to be at practice for runners 2nd grade and under. Parents are welcome to run with their runner to help encourage them. If you decide to run with us, you will need to complete a form prior to running with us. Please leave dogs at home.

CROSS COUNTRY MEETS:
-Meets are generally held on Saturday with a few weekday meets. We would love for every runner to attend every meet, but we understand that sometimes that is not feasible. The meets may last a few hours depending on the organization and the number of entries. Races are often divided by age group dependent on gender. The distances vary from course to course, but most are from 1-1.8 miles. You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the meets.
-There is usually an entrance fee to watch the meet. It varies but most of the time is is $5.00 per car.
-Cross Country is not the typical spectator sport, because you cannot see the entire race from one location. All course maps can be printed out prior to a meet from the website. Spend a few minutes prior to the start of the race to pick your "spots". One exciting aspect is to watch the start. After the start, you may wish to move to another point along the course to cheer on and watch runners as they pass by. As the race develops, you may want to move to the finish area as the runner complete the race. Please cheer LOUDLY and encourage all of our runners. Your encouragement might be that little extra boost they need to run faster. Please support the opposing runners as well (not as loudly): cross country is a very, very difficult sport. The real race for the runners is not against the other team or even against the clock, it is against themselves. Everyone needs some encouragement.
-At the end of some races, the runner is expected to return a place card or a shoe chip. Please make sure this is completed before you leave the meet.
-Be prepared to bring gateraide, water, and snacks to the meet and clean up all trash and personal belonging when you leave. Some meets get cold or wet, so on those days, plan accordingly. Runners can wear longer sleeves, sweatpants, hats and gloves with their uniform. However, be sure that they don't dress too warmly since they will warm up once the race begins.

UNIFORMS:
We will send out the information to order t-shirts once the season begins. You are responsible for providing Kentucky Blue shorts to go with the team shirt. We will also order shirts for any parent that would like to order a shirt as well. They have ran $10-$15 a shirt in the past.

WEATHER:
Practice will be cancelled immediately, if lightning is seen or thunder is heard. We try hard not to cancel practice, since runners will compete in all types of weather. However, safety is important. We will send out information, through the remind app, if we decide to cancel practice that day.

PARENT PARTICIPATION AND EXPECTATIONS:
-Assistance with the home meet and other fundraisers is required.
-Make sure runner has adequate running shoes. Athletes should wear shorts or sweats to practice.
-Please be sure that athletes bring adequate water to practice and meets. They need to constantly drink water throughout the day, not just in practice. This will keep their bodies hydrated and functioning well. We have had children that have struggled due to lack of hydration. Please make sure they carry a water bottle with them and drink it often. It is a matter of life and death and will definitely affect their performance as well as their well being.
- Avoid high fat and fried foods and carbonated beverages on meet days. Generally, the last intake of food should be 2-3 hours prior to the start of the race. Athletes are safer going into a race on the hungry side. The opposite can be detrimental.
-Understand and promote attendance at practice and at all meets.
-Remain at practice if runner is K-2nd grade.
-Parents need to provide transportation to all meets. -We additionally need parents to sit on the Cross Country Booster Club Board. Please let one of the coaches know if you are willing to sit on this board.

***PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOUR RUNNER BRINGS ADEQUATE WATER FOR PRACTICE, ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAY!!! We are not near drinking fountains or restrooms. We also would ask that the runners use the restroom before practice.