Page "Cross country running" Paragraph 57

Every state offers cross country as a high school sport for boys and girls.

Over 440, 000 high school students compete in cross country each year, making it the sixth most popular sport for girls, and seventh most popular for boys.

The standard high school cross country race distance is, though some states run a shorter, 3-to 4-kilometer course for girls.

Beginning in 1979, the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships have offered a national championship for high school cross country runners.

Since 2004, the Nike Cross Nationals have offered an alternative national championship, focused on teams rather than individuals.

A 2008 film, The Long Green Line, documented the success of Joe Newton, cross country coach at York Community High School in Elmhurst, Illinois.