Everything you need to know about the meet. Race times, course maps, race previews, starting boxes, construction updates, and what to eat.

The Final k: Features stories from the 2008 PA Cross Country season by PennTrackXC

Today Cornwall sophomore Aisling Cuffe is one of the top cross country runners in the state. Less than a year ago, she was a freshman race walker with no cross country experience.

Each week here at MileSplit we will be giving you a quick look at four of the nation's best runners in our new feature called MileSplit Fast Four. Featured this week are Sarah Andrews (TX), Chris Schwartz (CA), Melanie Thompson (NJ) and Andrew Colley (VA).

Former Belmont Plateau course record holder Steve Hallinan in awe of West Winsor Sophomore Joe Rosa (MaroonNews photo). He added another class record at Vanny on Saturday.

Winning teams and individuals of all varsity, JV, sophomore, freshman, and middle school races. Winning times and team totals included.

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BOYS AND GIRLS EASTERNS RACE VIDEO POSTED

 - Fayetteville-Manilus coach Bill Aris had a curious way of describing the girls Eastern States championship at the Manhattan Invitational. He called the “physiologically illogical.”

Brad Miles won the Varsity B race with a time of 12:47.57. North Penn had the fastest team avg of the day. Their spread, just 31 seconds.

No one is saying that the Eastern States races at the Manhattan Invitational Saturday are the be-all, end-all of cross country races. But when you line up some of the best teams in the country, people expect sparks to fly.

Warwick Valley star Lillian Greibesland underwent successful surgery to repair her ruptured right Achilles’ tendon at New York Hospital for Special Surgery Wednesday. She’ll miss the rest of the cross country season and the entire indoor track season.

#1 and #2 ranked teams face off for the first time this season to settle the debate (for now at least) at Saturday's Manhattan Invitational. Jamestown and Oakton boys have been head and shoulders better than the rest of the competition so far this fall, but both will have their hands full when they race against each other and a loaded field at the Manhattan Invitational.

Meanwhile, Glory Days Grill Invitational will feature 6 schools which are ranked among the top 10 currently led by the Octoberfest champs from James Robinson, who are racing in their fourth major invitational in as many weekends and so far have improved their team performance each weekend.

Every year it's the race not to miss. Will somebody run under 14 minutes? Will Saratoga or FM win? Will a new star be born? Last year Carly Seymour surprised the whole field by running 13:55. What could possibly top that? Be at VCP on Saturday to find out.

For years the boys fans at The Manhattan College Invitational have felt cheated. The girls Eastern States has been held for years, with one huge, deep race deciding bragging rights while the boys talent was spread out over 7 races.

This year will be different. For the first time ever, the Boys Eastern States meet will be run at the meet instead of the following weekend. ArmoryTrack.com and the milesplit team has broken it down for you, with state and regional rankings, top runners, team uniform colors, and pictures. So get ready for magic, and weather permitting, perhaps a new VCP 2.5 record.

Boys Eastern States race could be the deepest ever for HS boys at VCP.  Girls Eastern's looks as deep as ever.   Meet preview coming Wednesday.

 
Christopher Hunt and myself did a bit of traveling last year to bring you some of the best coverage of track and field and XC we could provide.  This year will be even better.  Last weekend we opened up with Chris at The Red Raider Run in Rockland County on Friday.  The next day we were at The Big Red Invitational in Somers

The construction that has half of the parade grounds at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx fenced off has raised concerned among coaches, athletes and general park users alike. The fence forced meet directors to completely change the start to every cross country race competed at one of the most historic courses in the country.

Complete computer timing and online entry are added to "The Biggest and The Best" XC meet in the land.  Boys Eastern States race added as well.  Get ready - online entries open August 25th.