Despite the recent high temperatures and pouring rain cutting into competition and practice time, Healdsburg High School cross country teams have logged some miles in invitational tournaments so far this fall, with some exciting opportunities ahead.
The prestigious Lowell Invitational on Sept. 10 found Healdsburg runners joining about 3,000 other competitors for the 49th running of the large Bay Area meet, held at Golden Gate Park.
Highlight for Healdsburg was Kaeden Anderson, who “flew through the course at a blistering 10:52 to finish 4th place amongst 435 (sophomore) runners,” said Coach Mike Efram. The Golden Gate sophomore course measures 2.13 miles, though juniors and seniors run a 2.78 course.
A week later at Montgomery High’s Viking Classic at Spring Lake found Anderson far ahead in first among 60-plus competing sophomores in the two-mile course. His winning time of 10.34 was 25 seconds faster than his nearest competitor.
Cross country races are rarely of the same length, though usually between two and three miles; the differences in course layouts and length makes it difficult to gauge a “record time,” except in comparison to the same route.
In Healdsburg, the team runs a 3.0-mile course at Hoot Owl Vineyards in Alexander Valley, where they meet Elsie Allen in a dual meet on Sept. 28, and Analy on Oct. 16.
