An every 50m look at the coolest on-campus cross country course in Tallahassee! Some of these shots are wide angle view. In other words, things will appear farther away than they really are.
Mowing variation for 2008 means some of the splits have moved a bit from what's depicted here. It doesn't affect the course enough for me to post all new photos - but who knows?
In any case, if you do a walk through of the course on race day, you'll find the following points marked with brightly ribboned and labeled pinflags:
Start, 400m, 800m, 1Km, 1200m, 1500m, 1M, 2Km, 1.5M, Finish.
Print the map and follow along, ok?
GPS track, from which I prepared the 2007 course map:
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/4003097
2008 GPS track:
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/6718956
Click the "hybrid" tab in those motionbased link. Better yet, click the "Google Earth" tab and make your own map.
2007: Special thanks to HCES' Dan Hodges and Brandon for the excellent course mowing job. And thanks to HCES Coaches Holly Moody and Tricia Rizza for help with the course marking! After discussing options and possibilities for the new course, all the Holy Comforter http://www.holy-comforter.org/home/home.asp folks were completely accommodating. I think this course will be pleasing to prepared runners, and is extremely spectator friendly. We intentionally designed it so the kids would only have to climb "the hill" once. Even though the distance was increased by ~600m from 1.5M to 3Km, visibility is improved with the 'round the oak and reverse wrap design. As to the distance increase, the kids are still not running as far as Leon County MS races (2M). I think it unwise to continue with the Imperial distances at this point. 2.5Km (half the Varsity distance) or 3Km were my suggestions. AD went with the 3Km. Bravo!
Every square inch is mowed grass. Spikes are definitely ok for kids who'd like that option.
I'd like to hear comments/complaints re the course. From my perch on the lead bike, I couldn't detect any glitches due to the course. It appeared the reverse wrap parallel track was a benefit, rather than being confusing to the runners. There was a lot of cheering between the kids as they passed in opposite directions. The 250m 'round the oak loop gave clear separation before the kids headed in the opposite direction for the finishing 750m. It brought the runners closer to the spectators near the finish area. We got lucky with the weather - overcast and breezy - not the norm for mid-September.
The meets should be easier and bigger each time. Potentially cooler weather, the kids are more fit later in the season, many want a chance to improve upon their times.
Some photos of the 20Sep07 meet, from http://www.maclayrunners.com Webmaster Doug Covert:http://gallery.mac.com/dugco#100096
Got a link to any more photos on this course? Please contact me.
Photos from 2001 - 2005 HCES races (different courses then) posted here:
http://tallahasseetrails.smugmug.com/gallery/5947727_3tZPP
With a gallery full of shots, you may find it easier to navigate if you change the gallery "style" (top right) from "smugmug" to "all thumbs." Or "slideshow" or "filmstrip" or . . . you get the idea, it's configurable by you. I usually like "journal."
WANT ME TO POST A MAP and PHOTO TOUR of YOUR COURSE?
Email me
THIS SITE is private property, and doesn't necessarily represent any other individual or organization. You are welcome to download/use my photos for your private enjoyment, including printing them. Any other usage/linking must come from me in writing (email ok), with credit given.
Questions, pre-scoldings, comments, ID, complaints?
Thanks,
John Kalin
Email me
"If I fall you're going down with me" - Trail running advice from my Dixie Chicks
http://www.tallahasseetrails.com/
Mowing variation for 2008 means some of the splits have moved a bit from what's depicted here. It doesn't affect the course enough for me to post all new photos - but who knows?
In any case, if you do a walk through of the course on race day, you'll find the following points marked with brightly ribboned and labeled pinflags:
Start, 400m, 800m, 1Km, 1200m, 1500m, 1M, 2Km, 1.5M, Finish.
Print the map and follow along, ok?
GPS track, from which I prepared the 2007 course map:
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/4003097
2008 GPS track:
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/6718956
Click the "hybrid" tab in those motionbased link. Better yet, click the "Google Earth" tab and make your own map.
2007: Special thanks to HCES' Dan Hodges and Brandon for the excellent course mowing job. And thanks to HCES Coaches Holly Moody and Tricia Rizza for help with the course marking! After discussing options and possibilities for the new course, all the Holy Comforter http://www.holy-comforter.org/home/home.asp folks were completely accommodating. I think this course will be pleasing to prepared runners, and is extremely spectator friendly. We intentionally designed it so the kids would only have to climb "the hill" once. Even though the distance was increased by ~600m from 1.5M to 3Km, visibility is improved with the 'round the oak and reverse wrap design. As to the distance increase, the kids are still not running as far as Leon County MS races (2M). I think it unwise to continue with the Imperial distances at this point. 2.5Km (half the Varsity distance) or 3Km were my suggestions. AD went with the 3Km. Bravo!
Every square inch is mowed grass. Spikes are definitely ok for kids who'd like that option.
I'd like to hear comments/complaints re the course. From my perch on the lead bike, I couldn't detect any glitches due to the course. It appeared the reverse wrap parallel track was a benefit, rather than being confusing to the runners. There was a lot of cheering between the kids as they passed in opposite directions. The 250m 'round the oak loop gave clear separation before the kids headed in the opposite direction for the finishing 750m. It brought the runners closer to the spectators near the finish area. We got lucky with the weather - overcast and breezy - not the norm for mid-September.
The meets should be easier and bigger each time. Potentially cooler weather, the kids are more fit later in the season, many want a chance to improve upon their times.
Some photos of the 20Sep07 meet, from http://www.maclayrunners.com Webmaster Doug Covert:http://gallery.mac.com/dugco#100096
Got a link to any more photos on this course? Please contact me.
Photos from 2001 - 2005 HCES races (different courses then) posted here:
http://tallahasseetrails.smugmug.com/gallery/5947727_3tZPP
With a gallery full of shots, you may find it easier to navigate if you change the gallery "style" (top right) from "smugmug" to "all thumbs." Or "slideshow" or "filmstrip" or . . . you get the idea, it's configurable by you. I usually like "journal."
WANT ME TO POST A MAP and PHOTO TOUR of YOUR COURSE?
Email me
THIS SITE is private property, and doesn't necessarily represent any other individual or organization. You are welcome to download/use my photos for your private enjoyment, including printing them. Any other usage/linking must come from me in writing (email ok), with credit given.
Questions, pre-scoldings, comments, ID, complaints?
Thanks,
John Kalin
Email me
"If I fall you're going down with me" - Trail running advice from my Dixie Chicks
http://www.tallahasseetrails.com/
I made this at about 1:30am, so forgive me if it's not crystal clear. It seemed crystal clear to me - at 1:30am.
Revised a bit after a few hours of sleep. I'm not sure I've added clarity.
Revised a bit after a few hours of sleep. I'm not sure I've added clarity.
I made this at about 1:30am, so forgive me if it's not crystal clear. It seemed crystal clear to me - at 1:30am.
Revised a bit after a few hours of sleep. I'm not sure I've added clarity.
Revised a bit after a few hours of sleep. I'm not sure I've added clarity.
in this box: