MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM -- For two decades, the Moose Jaw Invitational Cross Country meet has been giving youngsters from schools all over southwest Saskatchewan a chance to hit the course before provincial qualifier meets come up later in the season.
So it was only fitting that the 20th anniversary of the meet saw the largest field of competitors ever, with a total of 321 participants taking to the Wakamow Valley course last Wednesday afternoon.
The race also set a different, somewhat less ideal kind of record -- temperatures touched 35 C come race time, making it the hottest day for the Invitational in its history.
That did little to dampen the enthusiasm, though, as competitors ranging from elementary to high school seniors braved the temperatures to put together some impressive races.
“We’ve had some hot days in the past, and we’ve had all kinds of weather, but that was hands down the hottest we’ve ever had,” said longtime race organizer Renee Verge. “But to have that many runners out on a day like that in September in Wakamow, enjoying what the valley has to offer, it was awesome.”
Participants did what they could to keep cool and hydrated, with many running with a water bottle and coaches and parents dousing runners as they ran past or crossed the finish line. It certainly didn’t hurt to have Dairy Queen donate 325 free Blizzard coupons, with the ice cream a nice treat when all was said and done.
“No doubt a lot of the participants would be getting ice cream after, that’s for sure,” Verge said with a laugh.
In an effort to add a special twist to the 20th edition of the races, Verge put together a series of special prize packages featuring donations from local businesses like Western Pizza, Booster Juice and Family Pizza and handed them out to the 20th-place finisher in each race.
“I didn’t tell the kids that -- they’d probably be lining up at the finish line and counting out the places -- but it worked out well and was a neat way to celebrate our 20th annual race,” Verge said.
Through it all, the most important thing was seeing so many youngsters out taking part in the event. That’s in no small part due to school programs fostering an interest in cross-country, with that carrying over right into high school and beyond.
“We all run for different reasons, some competitively, some socially, mentally and physically, there are so many benefits from running. Kids are coming out all different types of reasons and that’s important,” Verge said, adding that the high school numbers -- especially the senior level -- were the highest seen for the Invitational.
“A lot of it starts with schools and events like this and it’s nice to see the kids getting out.”
Attention now turns to the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association provincial qualifying process, which begins with Districts on Wednesday, Oct. 2 in Wakamow.
The top runners from there will advance to provincials on Saturday, Oct. 12 in Humboldt.
