The 43rd Annual Woodbridge Cross Country Classic race took place at the Great Park in Irvine, on Friday, September 20. The event was hosted by the Woodbridge High School Cross Country team and was presented by Asics America. The whole team did an excellent job. Everyone hit new PRs and many place in the top 100, and getting medals in their divisions like varsity runners Lauren Villafaña, Madison Boucher, Jade East, Lorelei Lee, Kenna Magoffin, and Marisa Phipps.
Our school competed in the Red division against top teams and individuals from multiple states. Divisions are based on school size (White, Red, Gold, and Blue in the order from smallest to largest). There were around 500 runners in each race and the running course had a 100-meter-wide starting line, a long and relatively straight-away start, which was run on a combination of grass, fake grass, and paved surfaces. The course was a great spectator course and went by very fast. The park was filled with attractions: a carousel, bouncy houses, a balloon ride, pop-ups for photos, running apparel stands, and food and drink concession stands.
To earn a medal in each division you must place in the top 100 out of 500 runners in your race. Many of our runners like Charlotte Bailey, Sophia Piscitello, Seth Hermansen, Owen Raitt, and Tristan Trejo did exactly that and earned medals. The drive there was a long one; they left at 12:10 p.m. and didn’t get there till 3:30 p.m. After everyone had raced our student athletes were exhausted, and didn’t get home till 11:00 p.m. Luckily the bus ride back was nice and comfy.
