The nerves and excitement grow, the racers tow the line and a few strides later, the gun goes off as 400 runners come rumbling and thundering down the start – elbow to elbow- toward a rapidly narrowing path. It’s an exciting time of year because cross country season begins! 3.1 miles of unbridled countryside. Sometimes it’s muddy. Sometimes it’s hot and hard. But always Fabulous! Go Running loves supporting our local cross country teams, and we can’t wait to hear all your war stories, help you find the right spikes and shoes, and cheer you on through your cross country journey.

“It’s about the experience,” said Erin Taylor, xc runner & enthusiast, and owner of Go! Running. “To me there was nothing like it. Every race was different. Ever course a new challenge. Champions are made on the cross-country fields and it’s all about strategy and overcoming the factors that are always unpredictable. It’s not about your time. It’s about how you and your team run that particular course on that particular day. And I love being part of the team”.

Go! Team

We caught up with a couple of our local cross-country coaches to hear why they love cross country:

“I love seeing young athletes improve over the course of a cross country season.  It’s always fun to see hard work rewarded, whether it’s a team victory in a meet or an individual athlete’s personal best performance.  Also, I really enjoy getting to know the athletes that I coach.  We have about 180 cross country athletes in grades 7-12 in Bryant. Some of them are very talented and may have a chance to compete in college. I would hope that all of our athletes, regardless of ability level, come out of their high school cross country experience with a love for running, which they take with them for a lifetime of fitness.” – Steve Oury

“There are no bench warmers in cross country. It is a great team sport. It rewards athletes who have or develop a strong work ethic and self discipline.” – Karl Koonce

“I really love the way our team becomes a family.  We encourage and support each other because we understand the hard work and sacrifices we are all making.  It doesn’t matter if you are the fastest or slowest person on the team, everyone can get better with hard work.  I love watching my slower and less confident runners improve and surprise themselves with what they accomplish!” – Christy Nipper

Photo Credit: Arkansasonline.com

Time to Spike it up!!

High School Runner’s Discount

We have the XC spikes from Nike, Brooks, Saucony, and NB for all ages. Nothing better than the mud, the guts and the hills – except maybe racing in your new shoes!

As always, Go! Running offers high school team runners:

  • 10% discount for Spikes or Racing Flats
  • 20% discount on a Shoe + Spike combo purchase

Like the sound of it? Come Run a XC Race:

And, if you need an extra race to run, come see us at the Minute Man 5k on September 9th. There’s an open division, so adults can sign up too! Really, don’t miss it! And Cheer on our awesome HS Runners. Here’s the link to sign up: http://bit.ly/2uKOlIE