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USATF
Montana Association
State Cross Country Championships
Saturday,
November 4, 2006 the USATF Montana Association
State Cross Country Championships returns
to Bozeman on the spectacular course of
the Bridger Creek Golf Course, which is
also the qualifier for the Junior Olympic
Cross Country National Championships in
Spokane, Washington.
Nestled
in the foothills of the Jim Bridger Mountain
Range, the Montana Association cross-country
championships is only one of two competitions
held on the golf course with exception
to the Montana State University Invitational.
No open, high school, or middle school
races are held on the course during the
regular cross-country season. As a result,
the golf course is hungry for the pounding
feet of distance runners from across the
entire state. It offers a magnificent
setting with a variety in terrain that
will test the wits and spirit of all competitors.
Over the past three years, the running
courses have built a repetition for being
well groomed, clearly marked, and well
managed by officials.
Hosted
by the Bozeman Track Club, the state cross-country
championships will be held on four different
courses (i.e., 3K, 4K, 5K, and 8K) with
three age groups for “Junior Olympic”,
“Open” (19+), and “Masters”
(40). Six age divisions will be available
in the Junior Olympic age group.
Medals
are awarded to the top ten individuals
in each of six age divisions in the Junior
Olympic age group with medals to the top
three finishers in the “Open”
and “Masters” age groups. Specially
embroidered “State Champion”
shoe bags will be awarded to the top male
and female athlete in each age group.
Long sleeve T-shirts, hats, and running
apparel will be available for sale with
water bottles and an assortment of prizes
to be presented to participants prior
to the start of each race.
Awards
will be presented immediately following
each race with professional photographers
available for photographs. Pictures from
the 2005 competition are available at
www.montanastars.com
with results available on the Association
webpage.
The
top ten individuals and top team in each
Junior Olympic age division will automatically
qualify for the Junior Olympic National
Cross Country Championships to be held
on Saturday, December 9, 2006 in Spokane,
Washington. Participants may enter as
Individuals or as a cross-country team
in each of the age divisions, exclusive
of the “sub-bantam” division.
Cross-country teams must be members of
a USATF sanctioned club to qualify for
the national championships. Athlete guidebook,
individual
entry forms, and team
roster forms are all available on
the Junior Olympic page of the association
website. Check the Association’s
website for sanctioned clubs in your area.
Entry
forms must be postmarked by no later
than Saturday, October 28, 2006. A late
fee of $5 will be charged thereafter until
Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at which time
no entries will be accepted thereafter
in the mail. Late entry in person, 2006
USATF membership applications, and early
packet pick-up will be available Friday
evening from 6-9 PM at the Bozeman Comfort
Inn. There is no race day entry. A 2006
USATF membership is necessary for all
participants.
A
limited number of rooms have been blocked
under “USATF Cross-Country Championships”
at the Meet Headquarters, Bozeman Comfort
Inn, (406-587-2322) until October 21,
2006.
Don’t
wait! Register early! For more information
contact Dave Skelton at bztkclub@bresnan.net
or review the Association’s website
at www.mtusatf.org
under the “Junior Olympic” web
page.
See
all of you in November!
Dave
Skelton
Meet Director
(Article
by Dave Skelton, October 3, 2005)
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