When: Saturday, October 21
Where: Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut, CA (1.5 - 2 hour drive, depending on traffic)
Race Schedule: Here is a detailed entry list, including bib and race numbers. In addition, here is a detailed race schedule if you would like more information than what is below.
7:30 a.m. Freshman Boys
7:50 a.m. Freshman Girls
8:04 a.m. Sophomore Boys
8:24 a.m. Sophomore Girls
8:39 a.m. JV Boys
8:46 a.m. JV Girls
9:42 a.m. Sweepstakes Boys
10:02 a.m. Sweepstakes Girls
Team confirmations, a program, and more are published on the Mt. SAC website. They are the red buttons towards the top of the page.
Arrival Times: Since we are assigned to some of the earliest races in the day when we are less likely to be impacted by traffic and/or parking issues, Coach Ott slightly modified arrival times. See below:
Freshman/Sophomore/JV: Arrive at the canopy 1-1.5 hours before your race.
Sweepstakes : Arrive at the canopy 1.5 hours before your race.
Parking: Due to the size of this event, please plan your departure/arrival time accordingly. The organizers recommend adding additional travel time in order to park, walk, and enter the main entrance.
All Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational Parking will be in Lot F (North of Temple Ave), the Gateway Parking Structure, and Lot H (if Lot F is filled).
There is NO PARKING ALLOWED in the Champion Parking Structure, with the exception of Handicapped Parking on the upper level.
Cost is $10 for all vehicles. We believe you pay when entering the parking lot(s).
Entrance:Athletes must have their bibs in order to enter the stadium. The bibs are their tickets. One of our coaches will meet athletes near the stadium ticket booth (#2 in a blue circle on the course map). Call Coach Ott when you arrive at the gate/ticket booth: (310) 709-8088. If anything changes regarding bib pick-up, coaches will send a message directly to athletes via GroupMe.
Where to Find Us: Our yellow team canopy will be in the grassy area labeled with a "5" in a blue circle on the course map. (There are two 5's on the map.) If for some reason they run out of space for team camps in the grassy area, the other spot to check is the lower level of the Champions Parking Structure.
What to Bring: Uniform and team warm-up shirt, water bottle, running shoes, racing flats, sunscreen, and a snack. Boys may wear compression shorts under their uniform but they must be all black; if there is a logo, it must be white and smaller than a credit card.
Course Details: Here is a course map.This 3-mile course is considered one of the nation's most challenging. You can check out a time lapse of the course on YouTube. You'll probably want to slow down the playback speed in the settings because the time lapse is quick. For a more detailed written description of the course, check out this article in the Santa Maria Times.
Clerk-of-the-Course: All athletes MUST report to the Clerk-of-the-Course 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of their race. The Clerk is located along the west fence inside the warm-up track area (#7 in a blue circle on the course map).
Hotel Info: A few of you with the earliest race times have asked if families typically book a hotel for Friday night rather than driving up super early on Saturday morning. In previous years, some families have definitely chosen to stay at hotels. A few hotels close by where families/coaches have stayed in the past, and that still seem to have rooms available, are the La Quinta Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, and DoubleTree by Hilton Pomona.
Timing & Results: The meet will be timed using tags on the backs of bibs. Live results will be available on FinishedResults.
Streaming: If you have a +Plus RunnerSpace account, the Mt. SAC Invitational will have a live webcast of the race. If you don't have a +Plus account, it's possible to sign up for one month at $12.99 and then cancel so you don't continue to get charged monthly. Just a thought!
Spectators: All spectators must enter through the stadium front gate (#2 in a blue circle on the course map) to gain access to the course areas (starting line, course, finish line). Ticket costs are below. These tickets are separate from the $10 parking fee.
Adults (12 years or older) – $12
Seniors (55 years or older) – $6
Students (with Student ID) – $6
Children (12 years or younger) – $6
You can save time by purchasing tickets online. One caveat... please be VERY CAREFUL when choosing "Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational" from the ticket list. There are separate listings for each date. Be sure to select SATURDAY! Here's the ticket link.
Because this is a huge facility, the course map is your best friend when it comes to finding restrooms, the water fill up station, and more. (P.S. The toilet paper gremlin might be an issue at this event. They even mention it on their website.)
We hope to see everyone at the race, cameras ready!!
