WHAT IS CROSS COUNTRY?
Cross country is a great long-distance sport where teams and individuals are challenged to run a race over a natural terrain such as dirt or grass. Cross country runners are referred to as harriers. Unlike track running, cross country goes over uneven ground and extreme weather conditions like rain, sleet, snow, or hail. Both men and women of all ages are in cross country, which usually takes place in the winter and fall. Cross country is also known for its strong team spirit and the personal resilience it can build in runners, which makes it such a great sport.
HISTORY OF CROSS COUNTRY
The rules and traditions of cross country originate from Great Britain. The competition became the first national championship in 1876, and international cross country championships were held for the first time in 1903. Since 1973, the most elite competition has been the World Athletics Cross Country Championships! In 1912, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) instituted cross country running as an Olympic sport.
WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES YOU NEED?
The qualities you need for cross country are endurance, strength, and being mentally prepared. Training for this sport includes hill workouts, speed drills, long-distance running, and other conditioning. These runners must also learn how to pace themselves to do good in a race. The runners also need to have a good diet that is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. Since runners burn a lot of calories when they are exercising, it is crucial for them to replenish their body. It is also important for runners to have good 
outfits. A good athletic shirt, shorts, and running shoes are perfect.
HOW ARE THE RACES?
Most races can vary from 1 mile to about 6 miles, which depends on the level of competition. High-school level racers typically run 3 miles at least in a race. While college or professional events may extend even further. Cross country meets are usually scored by adding the finishing place place of the top 5 racers for each team. Sometimes, there are award ceremonies after the races are done. Each race is different due to the changing in terrain and weather conditions, making it one of the most unpredictable and exciting sports.
RELATED STORIES:
https://www.usatf.org/disciplines/cross-country
https://www.britannica.com/sports/cross-country
https://www.nike.com/a/cross-country-running
https://www.sportrx.com/blog/heres-what-cross-country-running-really-is/
https://www.knightrunning.com/cross-country-basics.html
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