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How about 4000 meters?

by Dale Keen, Cross Country Coach
Yoe High School, Cameron

There has been a move for several years now to increase the distance of girls’ cross country to 5,000 meters (same as the boys).  The reason the move has not been successful is because coaches from small schools have been afraid that the increase in distance would hinder their recruiting efforts.  I’m from a 3A school and I would like to see the distance increased but not to 5K. At least not right away.   I think that it is reasonable that the cross country distance should be longer than the longest distance our girls run on the track.  Cross country is supposed to be a strengthener physically and mentally.   Running more than 2 miles in competition is consistent with that philosophy.  Everyone would benefit from a longer distance.  

If we would just 800 meters to the girls’ race the distance would be 4,000 meters.  We would only be adding 3 to 4 minutes of running time.  No one should have any trouble convincing a young lady of running just 3 to 4 minutes more.   We would actually have parity with the boys by running 4,000 meters.  The top girls would be running about 15 minutes which is comparable with the times that the top boys run 5,000 meters.  This would be a step in the right direction.  Everyone should be happy with this compromise and our girls would benefit.  Running 4,000 meters makes sense.

There are more benefits.  The added distance would make it easier for meet management in the finish line area.  We that manage meets, or help, know what a nightmare it can be at the finish line when there are large numbers coming in at the same time.  A longer distance would spread the competitors out more.   Most college coaches I have talked to think a little longer distance would help some of our athletes make the transition from high school to college.  Texas is one of the only states that do not run 4,000 meters or more.  In fact the majority of states made the move to 5,000 meters long ago.   Running 4,000 meters would make cross country a more aerobic event.  We that have been competitive runners understand this to a greater degree than most.  It is actually easier on the athlete physically and mentally to run a slightly longer distance.  The great Arthur Lydiard in this book, Running the Lydiard Way, addresses this somewhat.  Our girls should also benefit, mentally and psychologically, if they venture into post season running such as the Footlocker Regionals, where the distance is 5,000 meters. 

Some coaches have expressed the concern about running an added distance in the heat of early meets.   This does not have to be a concern because meet managers have always had the option of running a shorter distance for those late August or early September meets.  I personally have seen meets in which the boys have only run two miles and the girls less.  District, Regionals, and State are the only meets that would have to be at the 4,000 meter distance.

If any of this makes sense to you please talk to all the coaches you know and contact your representatives in the Cross Country Coaches Association of Texas or in the Texas Girls Coaches Association.  Let’s make a difference.

U. I. L. TRACK MEET
Let's make some improvements

by Coach George Hawkins, Nederland

THE STATE MEET IS WEIGHTED TO SPRINTERS:
A. Relays count double points. All Relays are sprint relays.

B. There are 13* sprint events, 2** distance events, and 2*** weight events that are neither.

C.  Many of the distance runners across Texas are not given the opportunity to participate in the District, Regional, or State Track meets because there are ONLY two events that they can enter. These are boys and girls who have worked very hard through out the year (many of these students run cross-country****), and cannot make the top three in the 1600 M or the 3200 M. Our school is a  4A school and we had approximately 30-40 boys and 30-40 girls participating in X-C and Track. Only six boys and six girls would make the varsity track team. You can do the math; there are many of them that would not get to participate. I know there are many 5A school that have that problem only worse. The solution would be to add some events that would allow some of these runners to participate.

C. If the U.I.L would add a couple of longer events it would give some boys and girls at least a chance of running in the district track meet. I realize that everyone that tries out for football, basketball, baseball, etc. doesn't make it, but our distance runners are not playing on a level field. If you are not gifted with speed, the only thing left is to work hard and try to make the team in the distances.  When your events make up less than 10% of the entire Track & field events you are fighting with a short stick. Adding a Distance Medley relay, a 4 X 800 relay, and a 5000 meter run would open the door to a lot of athletes that are left out now.

D. The people that are interested in distance running do not want to eliminate or cut back on the sprint events, we would just like to have a level playing field and give these youngster that work so hard a chance to compete. If the UIL added the three events that I mentioned, it still would not make it even, but it would give a whole bunch of kids a chance to compete. I think everyone would agree that the distance people work MUCH harder and longer than the sprinter type people. Let's reward them with a chance to compete.

E. Why can't we take the top three to the State meet FROM the Regional meet in the 1600 M and the 3200 M??? This would not make any difference in the State Meet Time Schedule. It would be just as easy to run 12 runners in these events as it would to run 8. The nine lane track at Mike Myers Stadium would be more than adequate to handle 12 runners.

F. We need to think about going to a "Time based" advancement for the Regional and State Meets. For many years some good runners or relay teams have been left at home because they happen to be in a District or Region that is loaded in a particular event. This happens every year. I have been involved in track since the 1950's and it is not a "NEW" thing, but that doesn't make it right. If the State of Texas wants to have a "quality" meet, this would do it. Let's have the best runners competing for the state championship. We could have the best 16 times compete in the Regional Meets, regardless of location. OR the district winner and the next 8 best times. Something to think about!!!

G. Let's get rid of the "Double Points" for relays!!! THIS IS NOT FAIR. A school with a good track tradition that is not blessed with sprinters does not have a chance, as long as the relays count twice as much as the individual events. The event schedule is loaded toward the sprinters as it is, and awarding double points just about eliminates schools that are not loaded with sprinters. Do this and you will see where coaching comes in and not just natural God given talent.

The U.I.L. puts on a great meet and I am not bad-mouthing them. I just think it is time to do some UPGRADING and  make things fair and better. I truly believe that the distance runners in the State of Texas are really being discriminated against and it is time for a change.

The following charts are where I derived my statistics from. I do not say they are completely correct, but I did my best to make the numbers as accurate as possible.

STATE TRACK MEET STATISTICS

*SPRINT EVENTS: (13 Sprinting events)                                        ENTRIES
INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
1. 100 M Dash:                                                                                        8
2. 200 m                                                                                                  8
3. 400 m                                                                                                  8
4. 800 m                                                                                                  8
5. 110 & 100 m hurdles                                                                            8
6. 300 m hurdles                                                                                       8
7. Long Jump (sprinting speed is necessary to compete in this event)          8
8. Triple Jump (sprinting speed is necessary to compete in this event)         8
9. High Jump (sprinting speed is necessary to compete in this event)           8
10. Pole Vault  (sprinting speed is necessary to compete in this event)         8
TOTAL INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES FOR 5A BOYS                                80 Sprinting entries

RELAYS
11. 4 X 100 m Relay                                                                              32
12. 4 X 200 m Relay (Added Event for 2003)                                        32
13. 4 X 400 m Relay                                                                              32
TOTAL RELAY ENTRIES FOR 5A BOYS                                         96 Sprinting entries
=========
TOTAL ENTRIES IN "SPRINTING" EVENTS FOR 5A BOYS         176 Sprinting Entries

**DISTANCE EVENTS: (2 Distance Events for 5A boys) ENTRIES
1. 1600 M RUN                                                                                          8
2. 3200 M Run                                                                                            8
TOTAL "DISTANCE" ENTRIES FOR 5A BOYS                                    16  Distance Entries

***UNRELATED EVENTS: (2 Unrelated Events)  (Both of these events require quickness and/or bulk and could be listed under events that require talents related to sprinting rather than distance)
1. Shot Put
2. Discus

TOTAL NUMBER OF ENTRIES FOR EACH DIVISION IN THE STATE MEET
DIVISION     SPRINTING EVENTS     DISTANCE EVENTS
5A BOYS                     176                                 16
5A GIRLS                     176                                 16
4A BOYS                     176                                 16
4A GIRLS                     176                                 16
3A BOYS                     176                                 16
3A GIRLS                     176                                 16
2A BOYS                     176                                 16
2A GIRLS                     176                                 16
1A BOYS                     176                                 16
1A GIRLS                     176                                 16
TOTALS                     1760                               160

That is less than 10% and is grossly unfair and discriminatory against the distance people.  Not only are the numbers out of kilter, but they have another BIG advantage of having the relay points DOUBLED.

**** STATE CROSS COUNTRY NUMBERS (Taken from the U.I.L Cross Country Program)

DIVISION                  BOYS     GIRLS
AAAAA                         109         107
AAAA                            109         101
AAA                               105           97
AA                                  110         109
A                                     100         100
TOTAL RUNNERS IN STATE 533 514

REGION III CROSS COUNTRY NUMBERS
DIVISION                    BOYS     GIRLS
AAAAA                          160         169
AAAA                             153         162
AAA                                158         171
AA                                   149         151
A                                      164         166

TOTAL RUNNERS IN REG III 533 514 
TOTAL B & G  IN REG III = 1593

(If you assume that Reg I, II, & IV have the same numbers, you come up with a total of 6372 runners in the Regional XC meets. Most of these are not the "sprinter" types, and when track comes around, these 6000+ runners are competing for 160 spots.)

Please send any comments to me at phil@texastrack.com and I will post some of the responses.