Principia to Host 2017 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships
The start of fall is bringing not only the usual cooler temperatures and shorter days but lots of excitement about the upcoming NCAA DIII Cross Country National Championships, which Principia College will host on November 18. At least 560 runners and 3,000 spectators are expected.
In preparation for the Championships, several hundred runners from across the country will likely preview the course at the Cowbell Classic on October 14, a race Principia has hosted since 2001. Runners new to the event will be pleasantly surprised by its long-cherished traditions—the rattling of cowbells to spur on the runners (a Nordic skiing custom) and the occasional spectator dressed in bovine fashion.
Principia’s Cross Country Course—10 Years in the Making
Being chosen to host the DIII Championships is the culmination of 10 years of preparation. Former Head Coach of Principia’s cross country team Chuck Wilcoxen, a runner himself, is serving as Director of the Championships meet. Over several years, he surveyed hundreds of the campus’s 2,600 acres to consider the contours of the land and refine the route. Foremost in his thought was the runner experience. “Qualifying for nationals is very difficult,” he says. “The goal was to reward the runners with the best possible championship experience. They’ve earned it. It’s the most challenging course in the region because it includes some tough hills, but runners tell us they appreciate that it is easy to follow—and beautiful. The backside of the course, in particular, has sweeping views that extend into the next county. And we used a hybrid-grass, engineered not to clump, that provides an excellent running surface.”
Another bonus of the course is its flexibility. “We can lengthen or shorten what we call the ‘front yard’ (a 25-acre parcel) and adjust the start line and the turns according to race specifications,” Wilcoxen explains. “The expansive front yard also allows for a good and fair start. Many institutions lease nearby golf courses and parks, and while these work fine, Principia’s purpose-built facility is outstanding.”
The Ultimate Viewing Experience
Spectators can expect an outstanding viewing experience, with easy access and multiple opportunities to see each race as it develops. Officials and media personnel will be able to see approximately 90 percent of the course from the viewing tower on the crown of a hill. “I think this is the finest course in the nation,” Wilcoxen notes. “It never could have happened without the hard work of the Facilities Department, the leadership of former Athletics Director Dr. Lee Ellis, and the continued support of new Athletics Director Pete Paciorek.”
“We’re thrilled to host NCAA Nationals and welcome runners from across the country,” Paciorek says. “Our athletic facilities are some of the finest in the country, and having this opportunity to showcase our beautiful campus to student-athletes and their families is something we are looking forward to.”
Get more information about the Championships, including maps of the course.