CROSS COUNTRY

Join the Seattle Running Club this fall for Cross Country racing! Scroll down to learn more about how it works!

Race Schedule

Here’s our race schedule for Fall 2023!

DateMeet NameLocation
9/23/2023WWU Bill Roe ClassicLake Padden, Bellingham
10/7Emerald City OpenLower Woodland Park, Seattle
10/29Cougar Cup 7.6 mileCougar Mountain Regional Park, Bellevue
11/5PNTF ChampionshipsLincoln Park, Seattle
11/18Regional ChampionshipsFernhill Park, Portland
12/9National ChampionshipsTallahassee, Florida

Workouts

Meet us at each Wednesday evening (6:30pm) for team workouts, led by former Seattle University XC+T&F coaches (and long-time SRC members) Trisha & Uli Steidl! Meet your teammates and hone your speed for the 2023 season, or any other races you’re planning on running. The workouts will begin at 6:30pm, but if possible, come early to get a warm-up. Even if you aren’t sure you want to race this season, feel free to come out and get a good group workout in! You’re also welcome to race with us even if you don’t attend the group workouts. Check the calendar on the front page for workout locations.

Want a preview, or can’t make the group workout? Check out the cross country workout schedule. It’s password-protected; if you don’t know the password, contact the XC coordinator (xc@seattlerunningclub.org)

About Cross Country

Cross country racing is a one of a kind journey where running becomes a true team sport — parties with teammates, glory, pain, muddy loops over hill and dale, jittery-then-relaxing, and worth-it.

Have we piqued your interest? Then here are the details:

  • Most XC meets have an open women’s division and an open men’s division that run in separate races. At some meets, there are also options to compete in a masters division (40-years-old and up).
  • Folks running in the women’s division run 6km, and runners in the men’s divisions run 8km or 10km, often on multi-loop courses.
  • The race course surfaces are generally a combination of grass and dirt. Trails and pavement are accidental – spikes (special XC shoes) can be useful but are not required.
  • Individuals are recognized for their overall placement but what really matters is the team’s combined score of the first five runners to cross the finish line. Each runner gets a number representing their finishing order and the team with the lowest combined score wins.
  • SRC participates in about six cross country races throughout the season, which spans from late September to early December. Individuals do not have to come to every race, but the more the better.
  • SRC often sends teams to Club Nationals. Those who are committed to the team are able to go to this amazing event, which changes venue every year.
  • The format of separate races for the different divisions allows us to race and cheer for our fellow SRC racers (while warming up or cooling down) all in the same day – a fun team-building experience.
  • Entry fees vary, but most are paid by SRC!