Photo: Andrew J. Brown/MileSplit
The Great American XC Festival once again drew elite talent and lived up to its billing with another hard-fought boys' showdown and a breakout girls' race. In Arkansas, the Chile Pepper Festival packed thousands onto the course as records fell and the Bishop sisters made history. The Nike XC Town Twilight Invitational in Indiana lit up the night with one of the deepest fields of the season, while the Shore Coaches Invitational in New Jersey featured standout team performances and a few all-time efforts on Holmdel's storied course.
Every race had something to prove. Defending champions held their ground, rising stars made headlines, and powerhouse teams put down statement efforts that will shape the postseason picture. Championship season is approaching fast, and this past weekend showed exactly why early October cross country is must-watch. Here's how it all went down across one of the biggest weekends of the fall.
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