Check List for Hosting a Cross Country Running Meet

1. Decide on your course
As close to 1.5 mile as possible. Use a bike w/ odometer, or a wheel to measure.
Choose a route where the finish line will not interfere with the start of the next race, so the second race may start before the previous race finishes if necessary.
Try to make it as spectator-friendly as possible, keeping in mind how you will mark the course.
Make a map of the course, marking with colored pen the route, start, and finish. Send to teams you are hosting three days before the meet.
Figure out coverage for classes through your administrator if you need to take off the second half of the day to set up for the meet.
Line up volunteers to help with the meet: setting up, along the course, at the finish line. (At the finish line -- a coach or experienced parent should be the placer in case of close finishes)
2. Materials for marking course:
Surveyors tape
Small flags on wire
Flagging (stringed, colorful flags)
Stakes (wooden or metal) to mark finish chute and to hold flagging on course
Cones
Spray paint or chalk for Start Line and Finish Line
At Kincaid -- you may use the blue markers located by timing hut
If moving through an open area, put up cones/stakes/flagging marking the route runners are to take, so a shorter route cannot be taking.
A coach should jog through the course with your team for warm-up to check that all markings are clear!
3. Timing equipment:
Finish cards for finish line/ volunteers to hand them out
Sprint timer with printout, or an equivalent timing system.
Finish sheets for coaches
Clip board with 4 overall finish sheets (one for each race)
Coaches fill in their school's finish sheet -- Place, # of runner written very clearly!!
Write all numbers in order on overall finish sheet
4. Other things to have at the meet:
First aid kit and medical release forms
An administrator
Blankets
Order port-a-potties if needed
Rain gear
Biker to trail the runners
Trash bags to clean up

Radios
Cell phone
Extra batteries for sprint timer
Megaphone or sound system
A tent or cover is nice, especially if inclement weather.
***Email on spreadsheet provided to Matt Neel at neel_matt@asdk12.org