How happy and proud is MVXC after our trip to Oregon and the Three Course Challenge cross country race? Let’s list a few reasons for gratitude…
- Pretty much perfect Oregon weather! It was sunny for our shakeout, gray and cool for our race, it was warm enough to eat our enchildadas outside on Saturday night and then we could be outside on the beach with a bonfire to make s’mores. It rained just enough on Saturday night and Sunday morning to give the team a feel for Oregon weather. Fab!
- Seaside High School and meet directors Kerri Boutin and Neil Branson put on a great event.There were 69 high schools attending, with more than 1,500 athletes finishing, and our hosts were ready to feed and house every one of them! The food was solid—and we don’t think there is another high school cafeteria in the country with a view like the cafeteria at Seaside. I’m not sure the accommodations at Camp Rilea is going to convince any of our kids to run out and sign up for the Oregon National Guard, but it was clean, and we will never stay anywhere that is as convenient to the start and finish line of a race (the awards stand was further from the finish line than our shower was!). The drummers at the start and at the finish were a wonderful touch. Well done, race hosts!
- There’s no place to race quite like the Three Course Challenge.From grassland to forest to sand dunes, every step takes you through a new landscape. It’s the kind of course you’d want to hike every week if you lived nearby—and for one day, MVXC got to race it together.
- Our results were terrific. The boys took fourth place as a team in the largest school group, and the girls took second. Kento flat-out won the Blue race across all divisions, while Yoyo, Sophia, and Constantine all scored individual medals.
- Most importantly, everyone gave their best effort—and that’s what matters most.The girls held off third place by only six points, so every second truly counted. Cross country teaches us this lesson every race: effort makes the difference. And that lesson carries beyond running—into math, music, building a company, writing a novel, or helping others. We only get one life, so why not pour ourselves into the things that matter most?
- Oregon is beautiful. Don’t argue this one with me. It made me so happy when I came out to say goodbye to my view of the coast and find Miranda doing homework on one of the benches looking out at the Pacific Ocean. There are not many views like that. I was so happy to share it with all of you.
- And we got everyone home! It felt like it was touch and go a few times there, but I don’t have any messages this morning, “Hey coach, where is my kid?” so I think we are OK.
Thank you to the athletes, coaches, and parents who made this trip possible (and of course, thank you Mrs. Flatow!).
There are plenty of photos up on Discord. Results are posted by the timer, Eclectic Edge Racing.
Next up is the SCVAL opener at Baylands park on September 23, 2025.
