2. Cross Country Course Maps & Photo Tours

Holy Comforter 3Km Course Tour

Not sure if this course continues to be used in the depicted layout... 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 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." 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 TallahasseeTrails on YouTube. "If I fall you're going down with me" - Trail running advice from my Dixie Chicks
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  • Not really a meet - more like a run-through, or perhaps an "open time trial." There are two scored meets scheduled for Oct 9 and 23, 2008.

    Not really a meet - more like a run-through, or perhaps an "open time trial." There are two scored meets scheduled for Oct 9 and 23, 2008.

  • 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.

    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.

  • Area map showing HCES and the course. Holy Comforter is at 2001 Fleischmann Rd. It's easily accessible from Capital Circle NE via Centerville Rd, the new luxurious 4 lane Welaunee Rd, and Miccosukee Rd. Note how it backs up to Miccosukee Greenway.

    Area map showing HCES and the course. Holy Comforter is at 2001 Fleischmann Rd. It's easily accessible from Capital Circle NE via Centerville Rd, the new luxurious 4 lane Welaunee Rd, and Miccosukee Rd. Note how it backs up to Miccosukee Greenway.

  • A short video from the lead bike just preceding the Girls'/Boys' starts, 11 September 2008. Plus a quick clip of Sidney on that aforementioned lead bike, P-Snoop the Pugsley. The spectators over to the right near the finish can see all of the course with the possible exception of the 1500m-1M. The folks up on the hill to the left can absolutely see every bit of the course.

    A short video from the lead bike just preceding the Girls'/Boys' starts, 11 September 2008. Plus a quick clip of Sidney on that aforementioned lead bike, P-Snoop the Pugsley. The spectators over to the right near the finish can see all of the course with the possible exception of the 1500m-1M. The folks up on the hill to the left can absolutely see every bit of the course.

  • Holy Comforter XC Coaches Holly Moody and Tricia Rizza get to work on their brand spanking new cross country course. They're blocking off a section of the course at the 730m/2Km point where the trail splits. I would have helped, but didn't want to risk breaking a nail.

    Holy Comforter XC Coaches Holly Moody and Tricia Rizza get to work on their brand spanking new cross country course. They're blocking off a section of the course at the 730m/2Km point where the trail splits. I would have helped, but didn't want to risk breaking a nail.

  • Wide angle view from the center of the start line, with Coaches Rizza and Moody about 60m downrange. Runners will go about 75m down the starting "funnel," then veer left onto the main ~1270m loop.

    Wide angle view from the center of the start line, with Coaches Rizza and Moody about 60m downrange. Runners will go about 75m down the starting "funnel," then veer left onto the main ~1270m loop.

  • Looking down the starting line from the right end to the left. (Racers would run to my right, in this view.) The finish line is straight ahead on the edge of the "rough." Look in the distance just above the bike's handlebar tip.

    Looking down the starting line from the right end to the left. (Racers would run to my right, in this view.) The finish line is straight ahead on the edge of the "rough." Look in the distance just above the bike's handlebar tip.

  • This is a view of the start line from the left end to the right end. Above the bike is the fieldhouse. The rest of HCES is over that hill. In this view, racers would run to my left.

    This is a view of the start line from the left end to the right end. Above the bike is the fieldhouse. The rest of HCES is over that hill. In this view, racers would run to my left.

  • 50m into the course. Coaches Moody and Rizza say, "Run that way!"

    50m into the course. Coaches Moody and Rizza say, "Run that way!"

  • 100m On the main ~1270m loop. Racers stay on this main outer loop in an anticlockwise direction for one and a half loops.

    100m On the main ~1270m loop. Racers stay on this main outer loop in an anticlockwise direction for one and a half loops.

  • 150m

    150m

  • 200m In this shot, you may make out the reverse direction, inner loop. Racers will be on that portion of the course after ~2250m. See the map!

    200m In this shot, you may make out the reverse direction, inner loop. Racers will be on that portion of the course after ~2250m. See the map!

  • 250m

    250m

  • 300m

    300m

  • 350m

    350m

  • 400m

    400m

  • 450m

    450m

  • 500m

    500m

  • 550m

    550m

  • 600m

    600m

  • 650m

    650m

  • 700m Wide angle view. (Things are closer than they appear.)

    700m Wide angle view. (Things are closer than they appear.)

  • 700m Standard field of view.

    700m Standard field of view.

  • 750m "The hill" is in view. I designed the course so the kids only climb it once!

    750m "The hill" is in view. I designed the course so the kids only climb it once!

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