Place: Twin Brooks Recreation Area, Cumberland, Maine.
Distance from campus: 25 minutes.
Date: Saturday, November 14 at 11 a.m.
Number of companions: As many as possible.
Necessary gear: Sneakers (a pair that you are willing to get muddy) and large amounts of Bowdoin pride.
Cost: Free. In fact, you'll be offered cookies and sweets if you come...
The leaves have begun to turn from bright oranges to dirty browns, and before we know it, our campus trees will be stripped of all foliage. The ground will soon be frozen sod. The air temperature will cool from invigorating to agonizing. We have to embrace the last days of autumn outdoors, and there is no better place to do it than on the trails of Twin Brooks.
Next weekend, these trails will be the site of a competitive cross-country meet—an event that will bring the Northeast together for a performance of physical strength and mental toughness.
On Saturday, November 14, the New England Division III Cross-Country Championship will take place just minutes outside of Brunswick (a quick car ride or a brisk morning bicycle trip). Fifty-nine teams of scantily clad runners, hundreds of exuberant spectators and an accumulated atmosphere of energy will enshroud the area.
As Coach Slovenski put it, "It's a lot of fun to watch talented runners push each other to their limits. Spectators get to see pain, poise, courage, grace under pressure, and an occasional fist fight." Who wouldn't want to go?
Cross-country is not the most popular spectator sport—you cannot simply sit in the bleachers, cross your legs, and yell "Go Bears!" when a point is scored. There is a strategy to supporting racers on the course.
You pick a "cheering position" that seems difficult, such as at the top of a steep hill, or navigate the course so that you can view runners passing at multiple stages of the race.
Even Joan Benoit Samuelson '79, after finishing the New York City Marathon last Sunday, noted that the crowds helped her throughout the race, especially when she was really struggling.
If this is the first race that you will be attending, it is important to know about basic scoring procedures. The top seven runners from each team are awarded points based on their overall finishing positions. In other words, the winner of the race is awarded one point, second place is awarded two points, and so on. A team's score is the total of the points earned by its first five finishers. Sixth- and seventh-place runners can displace opposing runners. The team with the lowest score wins.
If you choose to attend this entertaining, fast-paced performance in the woods and fields of Twin Brooks, you will be honored with fresh baked desserts, sweaty hugs and large post-race smiles.
I would like to challenge you, Bowdoin students, faculty and staff, to cheer on the men's and women's cross country teams to victory on Saturday, November 14. It will be well worth your time and mud covered shoes.