Cross country zones take over Echo Dale Wednesday
By JAMES TUBB on October 4, 2021.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb Cross country runners from across the Southern Alberta zone will be taking over Echo Dale on Wednesday. The Eagle Butte Talons and head cross country coach Darryl Smith are hosting the zone meet that will see around 900 runners from the area compete to participate at provincials. “It’s two years in the waiting, so really excited,” Smith said. “The fact that we get to run, the fact that we get to go to provincials, that I get to watch my Grade 12s… to me that’s really exciting.” There will be roughly 300 high school students and 600 junior high students participating in the event that was postponed last year due to COVID-19. Smith says they are doing everything they can to ensure everyone remains safe at the meet. The Talons hosted their 17th annual Echo Dale meet Sept. 25 and Smith says it went off without an issue. Wednesday’s meet will have masks enforced indoors, runners spaced out once they cross the finish line and a well-spaced area for all team tents. Masks are recommended for anyone attending and more washrooms have been brought in to space people out. “It’s about keeping people safe,” Smith said. Smith added the course will be a very technical one and runners will have to make “serious decisions when to go, when not to go.” He says every runner can succeed on this course if they know their strengths. “If you’re a kid that is powerful and fast and you manage the flats, you can really do well on these hills. If you’re a kid that can endure and you have the endurance and can push yourself. Not fly up the hill but endure that, then you can do well,” Smith said. For Smith, he says he owes a lot to the city for allowing them to host the zone meet at Echo Dale, and to all of the volunteers from the local running crowd for helping out. “The city guys I work with have been without a doubt supportive and appreciative that we’re showing off Echo Dale,” he said. “The running group in Medicine Hat is very powerful, there are some exceptionally talented runners but also some people that really want to give back.” 14-13
