USATF Montana Association
State Cross Country Championships

Saturday, November 3, 2007 the USATF Montana Association State Cross Country Championships returns to Bozeman on the spectacular course of the Bridger Creek Golf Course. The state championship will also serve as the qualifier for the Junior Olympic National Cross Country Championships in Lawrence, Kansas.

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 competitors: "Junior Olympic", "Open" (19+), and "Masters" (40). Six age divisions are 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 and 2006 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 8, 2007 in Lawrence, Kansas. 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 27, 2007. A late fee of $5 will be charged thereafter until Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at which time no entries will be accepted thereafter in the mail. Late entry in person, 2007 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 2007 USATF membership ($19.95) 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, and (406-587-2322) until October 20, 2007.

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, September 13, 2007)