XC Throwback

The nerves were on high alert at the starting line of the Illinois XC Invitational at Harms Woods on Saturday. As runners toed the line pondering race strategy, post race meal plans, grocery lists and their sanity, a voice of the race director on the mic caught everyone's attention. He called out,"Is the Champaign team here?"

CU Racing Team members reluctantly looked up and raised a cautious hand to identify themselves, unsure of the reason for their identity to be revealed seconds prior to the gun. The race director continued, "Let's all give a round of applause to the first downstate team to attend the Illinois Invitational."

Competitors clapped and momentarily focused their attention on the CURT members, uncertain of what to expect from these intruders. Following the applause, the race director changed his welcoming tone. He shouted into the mic as if motivating his troops for the greatest battle of their young lives,"Now lets go cream em'!"

Seconds later the gun blasted and the race was on! The rest as they say, is history.

Women's Results:

Overall:

7th Sarah Dowd: 20:23

19th Yvonne Learmonth: 23:25

Men's Results:

Overall

3rd: Ron Lavaire 16:25

5th: Brandon Smith 16:40

11th Jim Turchyn 16:59

18th Jeff Kelly 17:37

24th Brian Farrell 18:29

Co-ed Results:
(Top two male places combined with top 2 female places, Sarah, Yvonne, Ron, Brandon)

Below are some pictures from the event. The rest of the photos can be found on the CU Racing Team Facebook page.