No, don’t worry I’m not going to start celebrating Christmas at Labor Day, or bring out the carols before Thanksgiving, but the date on the calendar that I get most worked up for is upon us: Cross Country season. The transition of summer to fall is on display as we eat some hot dust at our home opener and Garin Park in September, maybe some mud to slosh through by the time we hit China camp at Halloween, to a crisp morning in Golden Gate Park in November. Friendly rivalries emerge anew each year, age-group teams reconfigure as some of us get older, while others manage to stay ageless.

Your club has once again made a big commitment to subsidizing entry fees and uniforms, making it possible for nearly 100 runners to compete wearing the feared Empire Runner singlet. Carpools at an ungodly weekend hour serve to strengthen our resolve to give it our all and cheer on our teammates. Foggy memories of glory days fade as we toe the starting line, no matter how fast or fit we are today, the adrenaline kicks in as the gun goes off. Even if you’re not running for the Empire Runners team this year, I encourage you to search out a local race, maybe a high school or JC meet at Spring Lake, and come out and cheer the past and future heroes of our sport.