In early November, the running community of New Castle County, Delaware, gathers in mass at Winterthur (pronounced WIN-ter-tour, for the uninitiated) for the annual New Castle County Cross Country Championship meet. In one day, there are multiple race events featuring middle schoolers, high schoolers (varsity and junior varsity squads) and, as my son likes to call us, Geezers. The unique 5,000m course is a double loop, rolling, all-grass event that trods where horses often trod. Fortunately, competitors do not have to navigate over the wooden barriers like the horsies, although a few have tried during the practice day tour. There are several things that make this event a truly unique and exciting event. First, spectators are treated to perhaps the best viewing experience in all cross country, at least in my 46+ years of experience. With little effort (and I mean LITTLE), one can see racers a minimum of four times. None of that ‘well, they’re in the woods now, let’s go get a hot dog. This event also features every county school, from the small to the big, from private to public, in one race. In my estimation, it is slightly more competitive than the state championship, which breaks schools up into one of two divisions in Delaware. And it’s a great show because it includes 6th, 7th and 8th grade competitors as well. They get their own featured races! Then, there’s the Old-timer’s race. What constitutes an old-timer (or Geezer)? Any alum, coach, parent, friend of, or interested party. There’s no entry fee, the course is the same as the other races (no steeple barriers), and the real stars of the day (middle and high school athletes) get the chance to watch post-high school commitment in action. I’ve had the opportunity to run the Old-timer’s race a few times. Let me preface it by saying, NEVER take cross country lightly. I’ve raced the mile and I’ve raced the marathon, but until you’ve raced cross country, you’ve not really raced. Time is meaningless. It’s about challenging yourself and, as I tell my teams, beating people. This year, I broke 24 minutes on the Winterthur course. It’s a far cry from my younger ‘less-old-timer self’. And for those 24 minutes, nothing was comfortable. But the nature of the Winterthur course means there’s no hiding from fans and spectators and spouses and even other athletes. It’s amazing how many of my ‘pump your arms’, ‘eyes up’, ‘work the downhill’ statements I heard parroted back at me. Am I really that obnoxious when I encourage others? I cannot recommend this event enough, even if you are just a passive ‘weekend 5k racer’. You don’t have to race it, but parking is free, the terrain is beautiful and to me, there’s no better place to be on a crisp fall day than outdoors, watching youth run with passion… and perhaps a few old-timers hammering it out, too. Just make sure you pronounce the name of the park properly. They may not let you in if you don’t. I hope to see you on the roads, tracks and trails.
