The freedom of cross country is so primitive. It’s woman vs. nature. – Lynn Jennings
By Kevin P. Harper
‘Midst trees of orange and red,
Under skies of shockingly bright blue
With white clouds floating as they watch the gallant runners.
Dry leaves crackle underfoot.
Slippery mud waits in ambush in the low spots.
Clawing up steep hills,
Hurtling, arms akimbo, down dale.
Race, race, race to the finish.
One last supreme effort, finally crossing the line.
Hands on knees, gasping for breath.
At the same time wishing the race would never end.
***
Kevin Harper ran his first cross-country race in Nashville, TN at the old Shelby Park course in the fall of 1968. He was a high school sophomore and not big enough to play football.
Harper is currently assistant track and XC coach at Jamestown High School in Williamsburg, VA.
Or helmets.