Information on the 2008 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships, which will be held on Saturday at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville, VA. MileStat.com will be on-site with coverage and a meet preview is on the way!
Schedule & Entry Lists
| Saturday, December 13, 2008 | ||
| 10:00 a.m. | Bantam Girls 3 km | entry list |
| 10:30 | Bantam Boys 3 km | entry list |
| 11:00 | Midget Girls 3 km | entry list |
| 11:30 | Midget Boys 3 km | entry list |
| 12:00 p.m. | Youth Girls 4 km | entry list |
| 12:30 | Youth Boys 4 km | entry list |
| 1:00 | Intermediate Girls 5 km | entry list |
| 1:30 | Intermediate Boys 5 km | entry list |
| 2:00 | Young Women 5 km | entry list |
| 2:30 | Young Men 5 km | entry list |
Athlete Information
- Entry information
- Travel
- Housing
- Packet Pickup
- Age divisions
- Competition information (check-in, bib numbers, uniforms, etc.)
- Course details
- Opening ceremonies
- Awards
- Pasta Dinner
- Commemorative Championship Merchandise and Photos
- Area attractions
- Weather
- Inclement weather plan
- Contact
Packet Pick-up
Packet pick-up will take place as follows:
| Date | Times | Location |
| Thursday, December 11, 2008 | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Pole Green Park |
| Friday, December 12, 2008 | 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Pole Green Park |
| Saturday, December 13, 2008 | 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Pole Green Park |
Directions to Pole Green Park
From Richmond International Airport (16 miles)
- Slight right at S Airport Drive
- Merge onto I-295 N via ramp to I-64 W/ Charlottesville/ I-95 N/ Washington.
- Take exit 38A for Pole Green Road/ VA-627 E
- Merge onto Pole Green Road
- Turn left at Pole Green Park Lane and entrance to Pole Green Park
From the Headquarters Hotels (5 miles)
- Head southwest on Bell Creek Rd toward Sandy Lane
- Turn right at Pole Green Road
- Turn left at Pole Green Park Lane and entrance to Pole Green Park
Age Divisions
Youth competitions take place in two-year age divisions. These age divisions provide young athletes the opportunity to compete with other athletes of similar ability. The age divisions for competition year 2008 are as follows:
| Age Division | Year of Birth |
| Bantam | 1998+ |
| Midget | 1996-1997 |
| Youth | 1994-1995 |
| Intermediate | 1992-1993 |
| Young | 1990-1991 |
Competition Information
Athlete Check-in
All athletes must report to the staging area 30 minutes before the start of their races; only competing athletes are allowed in this area. Please observe all areas that are roped off and please obey all course monitor directions. Individuals and teams will have designated starting positions. Positions will be assigned randomly and will vary for each race. Clerks will be assigned to each box at the line. In the event of any position changes, teams and individuals are expected to follow any directions given by the clerks or other USATF or meet personnel.
Bib Numbers
Athletes must wear the bib number assigned to them. If the number is lost or forgotten, a replacement number can be supplied for a charge of $10 at packet pick-up or at the clerk's tent on the day of the race.
The bib number must be worn on the front of the athlete's outer layer of race clothing and cannot be folded or altered in any way. Each number will have a pull tab at the bottom. Do not remove the pull tab on the bottom of the bib or put safety pins through the tab.
Timing
Every participant in the event will be provided a timing chip at packet pickup. The chip must be worn on the athlete's shoe. Chips will be removed in the finish area.
Uniforms
Each competitor on a qualifying team must have a jersey or singlet that is basically identical in color and style to those worn by his/her teammates. The team jersey must be clearly visible throughout the race. This means the team jersey should be worn as the outside layer of clothing if other garments are worn during the race. Athletes who are unattached or who compete for a team not in team competition may wear any apparel as long as it is safe, not offensive, and has the athlete's bib number attached to the outside layer.
Protests
A protest site will be set up at the race venue. Protests relating to matters which develop during the conduct of the competition must be made to the Referee at once and not later than 24 hours after a result has been announced. The fee to file a protest is $100. This fee will be returned if the protest is upheld.
Course Details
The course at Pole Green Park is made up of grass (70%) and gravel trail (30%). Along portions of the grass and the gravel trail there are natural boundaries with the woods. With rolling terrain and a challenging hill, Pole Green Park has proven to be an outstanding site for Virginia cross country meets.
Course Maps
- 3 km course map (PDF)
- 4 km course map (PDF)
- 5 km course map (PDF)
Course Preview
The course will be open for previews on Friday, December 12 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Guided course tours will take place at 1:00 p.m. for the 3 km course, at 2:00 p.m. for the 4 km course and at 3:00 p.m. for the 5 km course. These guided tours will begin in the start area.
Spectator Area
Spectators are encouraged to watch the races from several locations along the course. However, areas marked "out of bounds" are not accessible to spectators. Course marshals will ensure that spectators honor the established boundaries.
Team Tent Area
A specific area for team tents will be designated in proximity to the start/finish area.
First Aid
A medical tent, doctors, nurses, EMS, and an ambulance vehicle will be on-site. The contracted medical staff and the Sheriff's department have extensive experience working cross country and other community events at Pole Green Park. Their expert staff will ensure a safe and protected environment.
Parking at Pole Green Park
All of the parking at Pole Green Park is free. The parking areas at Pole Green Park are located in close proximity to start/finish area of the course.
Opening Ceremonies
The Opening Ceremonies will be held at Hanover High School on Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. The Friday night pasta dinner also will be held at Hanover High School.
Hanover High School is located at:
10307 Chamberlayne Road
Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Directions
From Meet Headquarter Hotels and Richmond Airport: Take I-295 North. Take exit 41A (US-301/ Chamberlayne Road). Travel on US-301 for 10.9 miles. Hanover High School will be on the left side of US-301.
From Pole Green Park (meet venue): Upon exiting the park make a right onto Pole Green Road. Travel on Pole Green Road for 1.4 miles. Turn right onto Rural Point Road. Travel on Rural Point Road for 4.8 miles. Turn right onto US-301/Chamberlayne Road North. Travel on US-301/ Chamberlayne Road for 1 mile. Hanover High School will be on the left side of US-301.
Awards
The awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m. n the gymnasium at Hanover High School.
Individual awards will be given to the top 25 athletes in each event. Team awards will be given to the top 3 teams in each age division.
Pasta Dinner
The pasta dinner will be held from 4:30pm to 7:00pm on Friday, December 12 at Hanover High School (10307 Chamberlayne Road, Mechanicsville, VA). To accommodate as many athletes as possible, dinner will be served in the Hanover High School Commons (cafeteria). Seating is limited to 500 people at one time. The dinner will be served as a buffet, in the cafeteria serving lines. Tickets are $10/person. Tickets must be purchased using the order form and received by the Sports Backers by December 4, 2008.
Pasta Dinner Order Form (PDF)
Mail, fax or email completed forms to:
USATF Junior Olympic Cross Country Pasta Dinner
C/O Sports Backers
100 Avenue of Champions, Suite 300
Richmond, VA 23230
Fax: 804-285-3132
Email: info@sportsbackers.org
Directions
From Headquarters Hotels: (9 miles)
Turn left onto Sandy Lane
Turn right onto US-360 W
Merge onto I-295 N via the ramp to I-95N/ Washington/Charlottesville/ I-64W
Take exit 41A to merge onto US-301N toward Hanover
Drive approximately five miles and turn left into entrance for Hanover High School
From Pole Green Park: (8.5 miles)
Turn right onto Pole Green Road
Turn right onto Rural Point Road
Turn right at stoplight onto US-301 N / Chamberlayne Road
Turn left into entrance for Hanover High School
From Richmond International Airport: (19.5 miles)
Bear right onto S Airport Drive
Merge onto I-295 N via the ramp to I-95 N/Washington/Charlottesville/I-64 W
Take exit 41A to merge onto US-301 N toward Hanover
Drive approximately five miles and turn left into entrance for Hanover High School
Useful addresses for online mapping
Richmond International Airport
1 Richard E. Byrd Terminal Drive #200
Richmond International Airport, VA 23250
Pole Green Park (meet site and registration)
8996 Pole Green Park Lane
Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Hanover High School (opening ceremonies, pasta dinner, awards)
10307 Chamberlayne Road
Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Directions to Pole Green Park
From Richmond International Airport (16 miles)
- Slight right at S Airport Drive
- Merge onto I-295 N via ramp to I-64 W/ Charlottesville/ I-95 N/ Washington.
- Take exit 38A for Pole Green Road/ VA-627 E
- Merge onto Pole Green Road
- Turn left at Pole Green Park Lane and entrance to Pole Green Park
From the Headquarters Hotels (5 miles)
- Head southwest on Bell Creek Rd toward Sandy Lane
- Turn right at Pole Green Road
- Turn left at Pole Green Park Lane and entrance to Pole Green Park
Free parking is available on-site at both the Pole Green Park Community Center and the park itself.