Open Race Entries Also Strong for September 26-27 Running Event

With 122 high school cross country teams from 10 states and the District of Columbia and more than 2,800 registrants, the field in the high school division of the McDonald's X-country Festival at Maymont, set for September 26-27, 2008 will be the strongest and most numerous in the event's six years.

"I would say it was stronger than last year," says event director Dan Ward. "And last year it was one of the top meets in the Southeast."

Ward notes that in the girls' invitational division, three of the teams are currently ranked in the top 25 in the country. They include Collins Hill, GA, Tatnall, DE, and Midlothian, VA. "Whoever wins the girls invitational division at the McDonald's X-country Festival at Maymont I have no doubt they'll be ranked in the top 10 in the U.S. off that performance," adds Ward.

The boys' invitational division features three teams ranked in the top 10 in Virginia including Jamestown, Potomac Falls, and Douglas Freeman, while Atlee and Maggie Walker Governor's School will also field strong teams. Strong regional boys' teams include Cardinal Gibbons from Raleigh, NC and last year's invitational division winner Medina, OH.

Entries for the open events are also strong, reflecting their growing popularity in Richmond's running community. The open 5K, which takes place on Friday evening, offers citizens a chance to don their cross country spikes and race the same course as Saturday's high school runners. Friday evening is also when the elementary school kids' one mile runs are held. Saturday morning starts off with the open half marathon, a 13.1- mile half road-half trail adventure that incorporates much of the city's best running tracks and trails. That is followed soon after by the open middle school kids' 3K runs.

In addition to the spectacle of so many high school cross country races, the McDonald's X-country Festival at Maymont features at festival atmosphere of music, food, vendor exhibits, and an appearance by Ronald McDonald.

Schedule

Friday, September 26
Race/Event		Distance 	Start
Elementary School Boys	1 mile		5:30 p.m.
Elementary School Girls	1 mile		5:40 p.m.
Open 5K 		5K		6:00 p.m.
 
Saturday, September 27
Race/Event		Distance	Start
Half Marathon 		13.1 miles	7:00 a.m.
Middle School Boys	3K		9:00 a.m.
Middle School Girls	3K		9:15 a.m.
High School Team Races	5K		9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

For more information go to www.sportsbackers.org or call (804) 285- 9495.