Cross-country running
Horton cross-country runners focus on physical fitness, enjoying the outdoors
Cross-country running can be a great athletic pursuit on its own or a way for multi-sport athletes to stay in shape.
Horton High in Greenwich hosted a district cross-country meet Oct. 3, with groups from several Kings and Hants middle and high schools participating.
Lindsay Myles of Hantsport, a 16-year-old Grade 11 student, was among the Horton runners competing in the senior girls category. She’s competed in cross-country since elementary school to stay fit and because she has fun.
“I just really like the aspect of being able to push yourself,” Myles said.
Cross-country can get pretty competitive, especially at regional and provincial competitions, she added.
Hannah Fuller of Kentville, a 15- year- old Grade 10 student, ran for Horton in the intermediate girls division. She enjoys seeing how well she can do and how she stacks up against the competition. At district meets, which she finds less competitive than regionals or provincials, she focuses on running for herself and having fun.
“I really like running as a sport and I also do it to stay fit for the other sports,” said Fuller, who also plays basketball, soccer and competes in track and field.
Sara Cumby of Canning also competed for Horton in the intermediate girls category. The 16-year-old Grade 10 student said competitors always want to run as fast as they can but since you have to go the distance, it’s important to pace yourself. That’s the aspect she finds most challenging.
Cumby likes cross- country because it’s a way to stay fit for other sports she’s involved in while enjoying the outdoors. Cumby also plays basketball, soccer, golf and competes in track and field.
Horton cross- country and track and field coach Jason Pleasant-Sampson said junior girls ran three kilometres; junior boys and intermediate girls ran four; intermediate boys and senior girls ran five; and senior boys ran seven. There’s a progression involved when it comes to excelling at crosscountry, he added.
“We just slowly build them up over the course of the season to the race distances based on the age groupings that are provided by the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation,” he said.
Horton has a team of 25 runners, although several are multi-sport athletes and were busy playing soccer Oct. 4. There were about eight members of the Horton team competing in the cross- country meet.