The Mid-East Cross Country Championship race is held each November in Kettering, Ohio. It all began in 1987, when a group of individuals from our neighboring states decided to have a race to see who had the best distance runners in the region. The race has featured various states throughout the years, but the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio are currently competing. The Fall of 2021 will mark the 34th annual meet.
In the past, Illinois has had many notable participants in the meet. The meet has featured various Olympians, such as Bob Kennedy, Brian Detmer, and Jorge Torres. In the prior 30 years, the men of Illinois have won four times (1992, 1995, 1996, and 2008) and the women have won once (2009).
The Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association will pay for travel, food, and accommodations for the athletes. This means that as a member of Team Illinois, all of your expenses are paid. You will travel with the team on a coach bus and enjoy some team building and bonding experiences you can’t get anywhere else.
Many athletes who represent Team Illinois go on to run in college and become teammates at their school of choice, or compete against one another in various meets. The experience truly mirrors what competing on a college team is like, and it’s a great opportunity to experience while in high school. Participating in the Mid-East Cross Country Meet is also a recruiting opportunity. Many college coaches stop through Ohio on their way to the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
The weekend begins Friday morning at the Hinsdale Oasis. There is also a pickup near Indianapolis along the way. We pack the bus and head off to Kettering, Ohio.
Once there, we check into the hotel and head to the course for a pre-meet practice. We review the course and allow athletes their traditional warm-up.
Following practice, we return to the hotel, where we have dinner delivered and spend some time socializing as a team.
The race takes place Saturday morning, after which there is a banquet and awards ceremony.
We typically leave to return to Illinois around 1:00 pm.
You will be issued a Team Illinois uniform for the race. While the uniform will have to be returned, you will get to take home some merchandise, varying from t-shirts to spike bags.
During the 2021 cross country season, the Team Illinois coaches will keep posted on your performances. The final roster is determined after IHSA State Meet has concluded. If selected, you will be notified in the days following the State Meet. The official roster will be announced on November 15, 2021
If you have any questions, please email Jim Milner at jmilner@sd308.org.
6:15 am Meet at Woodfield Mall 6:30 am Depart for Ohio 9:30 am Pick up athletes outside of Indy 11:00 amStop for lunch along the way 1:00-1:30 pm Arrive at Hotel 2:00 pm-3:30 pm Practice at the race course 6:00 pm-7:00 pm Dinner at the Hotel 7:00 pm-9:30 pm Team Illinois Social 9:30 pm Team Meeting 10:00 pm All athletes in their rooms 10:30 pm Lights out
7:00 am Shake out for those interested
7:30 am Breakfast at the Hotel
9:00 am Leave for course
10:30 am Official team photo at start line
11:00 amGirls Race
11:30 am Boys Race
12:30 pm Banquet and awards ceremony
2:00-2:30 pm Leave for Illinois
6:30-7:00 pm Arrive at Hinsdale Oasis
