Meet Information
2021 WNC Cross Country Carnival
We're incredibly excited to return this August with the 20th edition of the early-season mountain classic. In this anniversary year, most of the meet hallmarks remain the same. Our climate is comparatively cool. Our course is challenging but fair (and slightly shorter than 5k). Our goal is to provide teams with a positive introduction to the season.
One important departure from previous meets is the Friday afternoon format. We'll also contest the races in the reverse order of what we've done in the past.
Registration:
To ensure fair and safe running conditions, we cap the field at about 200 athletes per race. We try to prioritize the requests of returning programs first, but if you're interested in joining us this fall, please contact the meet director (andrew.devine@bcsemail.org). Entry is through e-mail invitation.
We are seeking border state sanctioning for NC, SC, and TN, but we can add others based on interest.
A school may participate in multiple events (for example, top 8 boys in the Championship, 7 boys in the Invite, 10 boys in the Individual Race, and others in the 3K race).
Please note that the 3k is not a middle school race; it is intended for high school athletes who are not quite ready for the rigor of a full 5k due to inexperience, fitness level, etc. We certainly respect a coach's desire to challenge young athletes, but we also encourage a progressive approach to the season and a positive, enjoyable competitive experience. We appreciate your effort to assign athletes to a race appropriate for their current ability. (Male and female athletes will race simultaneously but will be scored independently.)
One hundred and fifty dollars will cover all participants from a given school ($75 if only a boys team or girls team; $20.00 for an individual). Athletes must represent their school. Make checks payable to TC Roberson Rams Club & mail to:
WNCCCC
Coach Andrew Devine
250 Overlook Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803
Revised race schedule and athlete caps*:
3:30 3k^ Developmental- unlimited (boys and girls run concurrently but are scored separately)
4:00 Boys Individual- 10 runners/team
4:45 Girls Individual- 10 runners/team
5:30 Boys Invitational- 7 runners/team
6:00 Girls Invitational- 7 runners/team
6:30 Boys Championship- 8 runners/team
7:00 Girls Championship- 8 runners/team
^not precisely 3000 meters
Please do not enter runners incapable of completing a challenging 5k course in under thirty minutes in the invitational and championship divisions.
Riley Howell Service Award .jpg)
Two years ago, we instituted an annual memorial award in honor of Riley Howell, a graduate of the Roberson program who, in an act of selfless heroism, lost his life protecting classmates at UNC Charlotte.
Our goal is to remind our athletes of their unique potential to enact positive change. Compassion for others and regard for the natural environment are two of Riley's hallmark traits that we'd particularly like to emphasize.
This year we're asking coaches to select one member of the boys team and one member of the girls team for recognition at the meet. We'll award these athletes with a commemorative shirt that well place in each team's race packet. We ask that honorees wear the shirts on the day of the meet to represent the positive contributions our athletes make and to inspire additional magnanimity.
Also, if coaches have an athlete whose altruism they believe especially noteworthy, please complete nomination form by August 24th for consideration for the Riley Howell Service Award. We will announce the winner at the presentation of medals for the invitational and championship races.
Additional Information:
Chris Gkikas of Northline Navigation has put together an updated course map for us. (printable .pdf)
The winning team in the championship and invitational divisions will be presented a handcrafted commemorative face jug from Mud Dabbers Pottery in Waynesville. The top ten individuals in the championship, invitational, and individual races and the first five finishers in the 3k will receive unique ceramic medals.