Can local cities help Fresno keep state cross country meet?
An article in Saturday's Bee reports that 2006 may be the last year that the California Interscholastic Federation holds the state cross country championships at Fresno's Woodward Park, where it has been held since its inception in 1987.
As the parent of a runner who will be a senior this year (Mikel Thomas, Clovis High), I'm selfishly glad that they'll be held there one more year. But if it comes to pass after this year, it will be a great loss to the area.
The CIF, the state's governing body of high school sports, has balked at Fresno's latest proposal to keep the meet. City officials say they are looking to restructure the deal to avoid an $11,000 annual loss on the event.
The event brings nearly 2,000 athletes and 7,000-10,000 fans to Woodward Park annually the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The majority of those in attendance come from outside the central San Joaquin Valley, which brings in money to area hotels, restaurants, gas stations and other businesses. But apparently not enough money.
Two things make Fresno an ideal choice for the state meet. First of all is the course, a 3.1-mile route that features hard-packed dirt trails with some grass and asphalt, mild rolling hills and one steep short hill. I got to run the route last Thanksgiving, in the Turkey Trot, just two days before Mikel was runner-up in the Division II boys race (it took me about 20 minutes longer to finish than it took Mikel!).
The second draw is Fresno's central location between northern and southern parts of the state.
Maybe in restructuring its proposal (the CIF will accept new bids from interested cities through Sept. 29), Fresno leaders could look to partner with other area cities that benefit from the meet's being held here? Clovis, Madera, want to step up to the plate to help keep this major high school sporting event local?