Where does this meet fit on one man's subjective list? How does your list of favorites compare?
North Carolina is host to a number of top-notch invitationals, some of them able to draw good talent from out of state. But how do you rank the best meets in the state? First, you have to narrow the field a bit, by considering only regular-season invitational meets (so Foot Locker South and NXN Southeast aren't included). Then, you can consider such factors as level of competition, size of the meet, atmosphere, course, and placement during the season. Even then, the list is still going to be highly subjective, so this is an interactive article: first I'll give you my top 10, then you can put yours in the comment section (or nominate meets that aren't on my list). I'll also post a poll in the forum where you can vote for your favorite invitational. After all that we still won't have a "winner" or a definitive answer as to which are the top meets, but it will be interesting!
One note: I have deliberately left off the NCRunners Elite Invitational (especially since it isn't being run this year) and the Frosh/Soph Invitational, as this article isn't about promoting the meets that I sponsor and run. And so, without any further ado, I present my Top 10 North Carolina Invitationals:
1. Wendy's Invitational (2012 Results)
The meet with the richest history in our state, on the course with the deepest history in our state (and maybe in the entire Southeast) - what more could you want? How about an electric atmosphere, charged by the cooling of the weather and the approaching championship season? Add in the top-flight competition drawn from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. And don't forget about the course: McAlpine is lightning-fast when dry, and it allows spectators to reach most of the course in large numbers, boosting the runners with a roar of cheering. The only downside to this meet is its exclusiveness; it is very hard to get into the meet, as the races are capped, and private schools are excluded from competition (a relic of Charlotte-area athletic policy). You will never find a meet with more energy from start to finish, and Wendy's times dominate the rankings every year.
2. Great American (2012 Results)
The level of competition at this meet is unparalleled, as top teams from many different states fly in for the opportunity to compete on the course where NXN Southeast will be held later in the year. The large number of races (including the separate event for independent schools later in the afternoon) makes this a full-fay experience, but somehow it doesn't wear you out to be there so long. There is a true festival atmosphere, a combination of intensity and fun as athletes interact with schools from other states, compete in games, and listen to the alternation of announcers and music over the loudspeakers. The big knock on this meet is the cost of entry, which prohibits funding-strapped programs from attending (and limits many programs to bringing only their varsity 7). The benefits are huge, though: one of the largest "tent farms" you'll ever see, a course that is both challenging and fast, and a great positive spirit among everyone from workers to spectators.
3. Jungle Run (2012 Results)
Although this meet is very early in the season, which might reduce its importance somewhat, there is simply no comparison for the Jungle Run anywhere else. The night races under the lights, the schedule that goes from developmental races to championship to build excitement, and the finish in the football stadium with the announcer and the roaring crowd...all of these combine to make an atmosphere like no other. The competition level is very good, as well, and the times are very fast (partly due to the flat course and cooler night-time temperatures, and partly due to the excitement of the event). The late night is tough on the coaches and parents, but since the meet is onl Labor Day weekend, many teams turn it into an overnight trip. In my opinion, everyone should experience the Jungle Run at least once, either as an athlete, coach, or just a fan of the sport.
4. Greensboro Invitational (2012 Results)
Even though this is one of the oldest and largest meets on the list, somehow it still seems underrated. Hagan Stone is one of the most interesting courses in the state, with separate start and finish areas that are joined by a long trip through the woods. That means the crowds can turbocharge the athletes at the beginning of the race (which is downhill), and the athletes can get a big boost of energy from cheering spectators as they come around the lake to the finish; in between, though, this is a very quiet course where runners are left to battle each other (and themselves) for most of the race. Athletes mostly either love or hate the course, with few that are ambivalent. The layout is a problem for coaches; given the rapid pace maintained by meet management, it is very challenging to get from the finish line back to the start for the next race. Meet management, by the way, is excellent, and the awards are truly special, making this a memorable experience for any team.
5. WNC Carnival (2012 Results)
In my mind, this meet is very simply the celebration of the start of cross country season. With its festive atmosphere and competitive races, the meet is a great way to kick off the fall. Jackson Park itself is tucked behind a neighborhood in Hendersonville, a hidden jewel that reveals a challenging and spectator-friendly course. One of the most interesting features of any meet is the early bottleneck, where the wide starting field narrows sharply to cross a drainage area, funneling first the runners and then the trailing fans across a small land bridge. The course slows down quite a bit when wet, as it often is on a mountain morning, and it is a long drive for teams that come from even the middle of the state. The trip is worth it, though, and the character of the meet is a joy to participate in.
6. adidas Seahawk Invitational (2012 Results)
For many schools, the attraction of this meet goes beyond its fast course and very competitive races. Many schools in the states' central metropoli have a tradition of turning the weekend into a beach trip, arriving Friday night and staying through Sunday. The course is very open (which is good for spectators but not always enjoyed by the athletes, especially when it is sunny) and quite fast, being as flat as you would expect it to be. The meet itself is well-run, and the competition is strong and diverse, drawing teams from Ralegh, Greensboro, Winston, and Charlotte on a regular basis. For many athletes, the long bus ride along either 40 or 74 has become a signal for an early break from school as well as the beginning of the competitive portion of the season.
7. adidas Cross Country Challenge (2012 Results)
Another meet with an extremely long history, the event formerly known as the Wolfpack Invitational has been a crucial proving-ground for teams in the Raleigh area and beyond. Having been held at numerous courses over the years, the meet is now firmly entrenched at WakeMed, one of the best courses in the state. The competition has always been extremely intense here, perhaps more so than any other September invitational, with a sprinkling of out-of-state teams augmenting the always-strong local talent. Many of the same workers that help make Great American go smoothly help here, and it shows in the efficiency of operation. Coupled with the high-level college races on Friday afternoon, which can be great watching for teams that arrive early or are close by, you can't find a better place to go mid-season than this meet.
8. United Way Invitational (2012 Results)
Like the Jungle Run, this meet has an atmosphere that is unique among North Carolina invitationals. It's not the stadium lights that matter at this weekday afternoon event, though, but rather the inner lights of the athletes and coaches that participate. You see, the meet's sponsor encourages teams to participate in genuine service projects as a requisite for entry into the meet (a requirement that has evolved over the years to be a bit less stringent than it once was, but still holds to the original spirit of the meet). That creates an entirely different character built on positive energy and mutual support. The race is competitive, mixing some of the top 4A talent in the area with numerous small-but-strong schools, and the course is a flat triple-loop that supports fast times and enthusiastic cheering. There's no better way to spend an afternoon than to head to Southside Park for this meet, and I strongly encourage you to go see it one year.
9. Providence Invitational (2012 Results)
This invitational has risen quickly over the last few years to become a massive, incredibly competitive season-starter. Providence would fit well in the middle of the season given its fast times and load of strong teams, but its placement on the first weekend of the season dampens its long-term importance. Being a smaller meet than Wendy's, crowd control isn't as stringent, which is both good and bad: it's easier for spectators to move around and see the race, but there are a lot of places on the course where people can cross in front of the runners. Nonetheless, you can get a "big meet" feel from a quick, 4-race invitational by heading to McAlpine, the athletes can get a good starting time to set the bar high, and the experience of running on one of the most famous courses in the state always helps
10. Hare and Hounds Invitational (2012 Results)
The youngest meet on the list, this one is quickly becoming one of the best-attended meets on the schedule. Originally created to give those schools excluded from Wendy's a major invitational on the McAlpine course, the field almost immediately expanded to a wider range of schools. This meet shows every sign of becoming a fixture on the North Carolina calendar, with a strong base of support to provide great competition every year.
Did I leave out a meet you love? Got your own top 10? Post it in the comments below!
Where does this meet fit on one man's subjective list? How does your list of favorites compare?
North Carolina is host to a number of top-notch invitationals, some of them able to draw good talent from out of state. But how do you rank the best meets in the state? First, you have to narrow the field a bit, by considering only regular-season invitational meets (so Foot Locker South and NXN Southeast aren't included). Then, you can consider such factors as level of competition, size of the meet, atmosphere, course, and placement during the season. Even then, the list is still going to be highly subjective, so this is an interactive article: first I'll give you my top 10, then you can put yours in the comment section (or nominate meets that aren't on my list). I'll also post a poll in the forum where you can vote for your favorite invitational. After all that we still won't have a "winner" or a definitive answer as to which are the top meets, but it will be interesting!