As a former cross country runner at the high school and collegiate level, the cross country course found at the McDonald\'s X-Country Festival at Maymont provides many things a runner would like. The scenery is simply amazing at Maymont. The openess of the park allows for multiple points for spectators and coaches to get to on the course. Not to mention the great extras the people at Richmond Sports Backers are bringing to Maymont to make this truly an event rather than another meet such as live bands. In a description of various important points on the course, you\'ll find that the course is not a race track nor is it a mountain climb.
The same 5K course in 2005 will be used in 2006. The top high school times in 2005 were run by Patterson Wilhlem of E.C. Glass (16:16) and Stefanie Slekis (19:01) of Forest Park.
PHOTO AND VIDEO TOUR OF THE COURSE TO COME THIS WEEK!
COURSE KEY
1 - One Mile Mark
2 - Two Mile Mark
3 - Three Mile Mark
A - A start with a light incline narrows fairly early into the race just over 200 meters in as runners have to run in between two trees that is approximately six runners wide. The first road crossing immediately follows at approximately 250 meters (carpet will cover the pavement). Use caution. There are narrow parts on the course, but there are no narrow stretches. There are narrow parts that can be advantageous for moves later in race.
B - The first of several sharp turns on the course as runners pass by the Maymont House. Less than 400 meters into the race. Another road crossing that will have carpet. Course winds right with a gradual downhill. From point B to point C is for the most part open with some tree cover in some parts. Fairly flat straightaway with \"light\" inclines and dips. Shade cover is especially found around 800 meters near two park benches in the middle of two trees.
C - Shortly after 800 meters, two sharp lefts lead into a downhill that runners can really roll down and build momentum.
D - As runners come downhill, there is a very sharp right turn that follows at the end of the downhill with limited room to run on grass (1-2 runners). Paved path to left as runners reach the bridge. Less than 10 strides off grass on carpet covering pavement before making quick right back on grass after crossing bridge. Hit 3/4 mile mark immediately and start a gradual incline.
E - One of the bigger hills on the course. Starts off short and steep as runners leave Maymont gate into Byrd Park, but quickly becomes a long and gradual incline. Crests and flattens out right before the mile mark. Gentle downhill follows mile mark. Flat for the most part until point F.
F - Two road crossings (w/ carpet) runners will see prior to running the perimeter of Swan Lake and the grass in between the two roads has a quick downhill dip and short uphill climb.
G - Runners left of the road around Swan Lake on grass. A narrow spot at point G, which is shortly after 1 1/4 mile mark. Flat around lake.
H - A quick left at top of lake into a decent downhill stretch.
I - Runners cross a road (w/ carpet) as they switch over from Swan Lake to Shields Lake. Make a sharp left around a sign.
J - A right turn follows into a slight downhill. 3K mark not long after. A fair uphill next that winds around to the left. Leads into a downhill into the 2 mile mark. Then course is flat for a roughly 100 meter stretch.
K - Light downhill leads into the course curving right to swerve in between two telephone poles. A small and steeper climb that crests near a tree with some rough footing with roots and rocks. Road cross follows.
L - After crossing road (w/ carpet), leads into good downhill into 2 1/4 mile mark. Short climb up quickly follows. Could be a breaking point as runners re-enter Maymont from Byrd Park.
M - VERY narrow gate to re-enter Maymont. Only one runner wide and will require runners to duck over bush branches. A quick left turn follows going through the gate. Runners may try to make moves to get ahead of another runner before gate and take advantage of long downhill that follows.
N - Longest downhill stretch of the course. Over 250 meter downhill. Flattens out around 4K mark. Cross bridge right after 2.5 mile mark. Can run along grass next to paved path to next bridge (same bridge earlier near 3/4 mile mark). Shoot to slightly to the right after crossing second bridge and cross over two paved paths and a grass median in between.
O - At base of hill. Initially running on the side of bottom of hill. Curves lightly to right. Very gradual and tops out fairly quickly. Cross two small paths into decent stretch of flat area. 2 3/4 mile mark found in the middle of this stretch.
P - After flat stretch, make a left around three big threes with a little incline. Two have low branches. Second can run between branches. Third run right off. Leads into a long gradual incline. Last noticeable incline on course. 3 mile mark follows right after running through \"back yard\" of Maymont house into the final straightaway.