Running has lots of benefits, which includes enhancing you physically by giving you a well-chiseled physique and stimulates the release of endorphins (during the peak of the race) which helps fight pain and stress naturally. For this is the reason, more communities have joined, and are still participating in the fight to ensure running is globally recognized. There have been lots of competitions, shows, and events as regards distance running, one of which is known as “cross-country.”
How is Cross Country Running done?
Let’s get your engine revving by pinpointing what cross-country running is all about. It is merely a type of race done on open-air and over terrain which is natural for example grass. This race can be done as a team or individually and people of different ages are allowed to compete. Cross-country running events occur at a different temperature, especially during winter and autumn. Before joining this event have it in mind to encounter muddy grounds, hill, flat surface, woodlands, and lots of dirt.
Starting off the race
Signals like a horn sound or a gun fired once indicates the competition has, i.e., head to the finish line. Most times in this race teams are assigned their boxes popularly known as bullpen along the beginning area. The bullpen can sometimes be big enough to take the whole team, but when this is not the case, and the space available is for only one runner, then the other side members will have to wait in line for their turn. Each team must consist of 2-7 runners for your team to have an advantage once the race starts; they have to be smart and quick because of people converging on a very narrow path.
In cross-country competition, the loops should be between 1,750metersto 2,000meters with about 400meters to 1,200meters of leveled terrain, i.e., no turning included. This is done to avoid/reduce congestion at the beginning of the race. In the middle of the race, runners are reminded to stay on the path marked and avoid running over the items(such as ribbon, flags, tapes, e.t.c) used as a marker to tell the runners where to turn or go to avoid creating confusion.
Ending of the race
Just like every other type of sport, this also has a finish line (the end) to ends. A chute or funnel usually marks the finish line, i.e., a long walkway made or marked with either rope or flags. This is typically done just to ensure a single file order and to enable proper scoring.
The race is scored by adding up four to five top finishing positions of the individuals in a team.
In cross-country running, it doesn’t just take your endurance and speed alone to win. It takes teamwork meaning every member of your team has to be up and doing. Some persons have advised that team members should run in a group, but this seems to be impossible since every individual has a limit to which their capacity can take thereby making some members of a team lag behind.