Location changes: October 2009 Archives

The 9th annual Inland Empire Cross Country Challenge will likely be switched from Glen Helen Park in San Bernardino to Prado Park in Chino, according to meet organizer Rich Morales.

Morales, the girls cross country coach at Alta Loma High School, indicated Wednesday afternoon that there is a "98% chance" that the meet will be moved because Glen Helen Park has been the staging point for firefighters battling the Wrightwood fires. An official decision will be made by this morning.

As for the meet itself, this year is expected to be the biggest one in the event's history, with over 70 teams and 2,800 racers expected to compete Saturday starting at 7:45 a.m.
"Every year we've run this it's gotten bigger and bigger," Morales said. "This is the biggest meet in Southern California behind Mt. SAC and the Woodbridge Invitational."

The teams -- consisting of schools from San Bernardino and Riverside Counties -- will be broken up into three classes (Large, Medium and Small), with varsity races running from 8:54 to 10:40. The sweepstakes races -- the featured events at the meet -- will run at 9:30 (boys) and 9:50 (girls).