XC Race Returns to the Kilpela Farm

 

After a two year hiatus, the Jeffers Invitational XC meet returned to the farm. The temperature hovered in the upper 80's which turned out to be a little too much for some of the runners.

The JV runners off to a good start

 

Cheering the runners on with the traditional cowbell.

Past the pond...

Along the old railroad grade....

A strong finish.

The start of the girls varsity race.  Here's where things went south.  After the race, several of the girls experienced heat related illnesses and were taken by ambulance to the hospital.  Fortunately no one experienced any lasting problems, but it was a necessary precaution.  It likely was a case of inadequate prerace hydration combined with the fact that this was the first race of the year. The boys race was officially cancelled, but some ran it unofficially.  It was a downer considering all the effort that was made to prepare the course and organize the race, but you live and you learn.