For Immediate Release
Monday October 6, 2009
Contact: Dave Watt (301-913-9517, ext. 13)
battlexc@americanrunning.org
Team VIRGINIA set to
defend both POTOMAC XC CUPS on November 21st
Bethesda, MD— Last fall, winds and rain blew
through the rolling hills of Smokey Glen Farm and spectators scattered. Team Virginia seemed to handle the elements a bit
better than their Maryland
counterparts. One race in
particular stood out: the OPEN
Girls competitors. No runner left
the Battlefield that day.
Such is now the lore of the Battle
of the Potomac. “We had 40 mile per hour wind
gusts and driving rain. I was
amazed that all the girls stood their post waiting for the gun”, said Dave
Watt, Executive Director of the American Running Association and co-founder of
the XC Border War. XC BORDER WAR 4 will
continue the new traditions that have grown from this unique team event pitting
states separated by the Potomac River in cross
country battles or races. This
year’s event takes place one week after the public school state
championships in Virginia
and Maryland: November 21, 2009.
The 4th running of the “Battle of the
Potomac” or its nickname, XC BORDER
WAR 4, is sticking with the format and race site that has turned this
post-season cross country event into a “must run” for many boys and
girls in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, and West Virginia. All runners may register in either the SEEDED or OPEN 5K
events. The SEEDED 5K is
geared for the high caliber varsity runners while the OPEN race is intended for
other varsity and JV runners. “We
Top athletes will be invited to register into the SEEDED races and will receive
front row slots on the starting line.
New element in 2009:
¨
West Virginia and the District of Columbia runners (residents)
will compete for the Potomac Cups provided each entity fields at least 10
scoring runners in the Seeded races
§
West Virginia had a strong showing in 2008
prompting this change
Details on the 2009 BATTLE XC 4 or XC BORDER WAR 4:
¨
$22
registration fee for individuals in any race*
§
Online
registration is open at: www.battlexc.com
§
*Team
or group registration = $20 per runner with minimum of 5 team members
¨
OPEN
and SEEDED 5K races for high school boys and girls (4 total races)
¨
OPEN
2.5K (one loop) Middle School races:
6th, 7th and 8th grade boys and girls
¨
Top
5 finishers in the Girls’ and Boys’ SEEDED 5K races earn sponsored
entry to race in the Nike Cross Nationals Southeast Championship on November 28, 2009 in Cary NC.
Amenities
for all races:
¨
Barbecue
chicken dinner (registered runners only)
¨
Singlet
or race t-shirt
¨
Medals
or awards to top 15 finishers in all races
¨
DJ
and dancing post-race!
Race details and rules: Champion
Chip timing for all runners by Runners High (www.runhigh.com). The course is a double loop 5K. There is one significant hill and
the terrain is mostly cut grass.
Runners may wear spikes.
All registered runners must wear the VA or MD Battle of the Potomac t-shirt or singlet. USA Track & Field rules are in
effect.
The Battle of the Potomac XC
Championships is produced by the Bethesda,
MD - based American Running
Association (ARA). “We
see the Battle
of the Potomac XC Championship Meet as a
perfect event to entice more kids into running. All event proceeds help produce this
meet and our free youth walk-run training programs”, added Watt. ARA is a nonprofit organization
founded in 1968 to promote healthy living and active lifestyles among all
Americans. It is dedicated to supporting runners through education and
specialized programs, as well as encouraging all individuals from youths to
adults to run and be fit. For more
information about the ARA or to learn more about the Walk and Run programs,
visit www.americanrunning.org.
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