Hi team. Please see below for information about our participation in the Woodbridge Cross Country (virtual) Invitational
If we are able to meet as a group by September, we will do a team time trial on the track. If we cannot meet as a group, you will have to follow the instructions to submit a time on your own.
The event particulars (The event will attempt to mirror the real WHS Classic format)
The Virtual event will have 48 races to choose from for your athletes (top 7 compete varsity and the remaining compete in the grade-level races), 4 divisions of competition (based on school attendance), have Sweepstakes races for the top level of elite teams (B & G), have Rated races (2nd level of team excellence for B & G), have 2 regular level varsity races in each division, have grade level races for the developing athletes in each division, have medals for the top 100 finishers in each race (4800 in all), have patches to the members of top 6 teams in each of the 48 races (2016 in all), rank all the teams the meet and identify the top 100 individuals (B & G) in the meet. Additionally, the event will generate a wealth of data that college coaches can use to evaluate potential athletes for possible running scholarships and college entrance spots.
For all the details about the in-person Classic and the Virtual event, visit
www.gvarvas.com and click on the links found in the home page.
For the event to be staged successfully, the coach (or a parent volunteer) from each school will play a most important role.
The Coach (Parent Volunteer) Does:
- Signs up the school for the Virtual event on athletic.net. Team registration is now open. Please register ASAP. We need to gauge the interest in the Virtual Race and we will not have room for everyone.
- Gives each athlete the team code with athletic.net
- Using the http://gvarvas.com/meet-schedule/ link, assigns every member of the team to a race. The top 7 are in one of the varsity races (sweepstakes, Rated or regular division Varsity A or regular division Varsity B (based on attendance) and gives the race number to each runner. Very important
- Maybe register the athletes for the meet (option is either coach or individual athletes registers the participants). Registration deadline is September 12, 2020 at Midnight.
- Sets up and time the time trial (if allowed). If personal contact is not allowed, instructs the runners how they can obtain a time. Race each squad separately (varsity is own race, etc) on a synthetic track (if possible) or on the flattest asphalt bike trail, flattest dirk trail or on soccer complex.
The athlete does:
- From August 5 to September 12, using the team code and race number provided by the coach registers for the event. Registration deadline is September 12, 2020 at Midnight.
- Pays the $ 10 fee to athletic.net for the event
- Trains hard to be ready for the event
- During the week of 9/14 to 9/18 the athletes run the 3.0 miles race with their squad (or individually)
A. Course:
- If possible, run the race (3 miles) on a synthetic track in flats (if school facilities are available). No spikes.
- In case a synthetic track is not available, then every participant/coach finds the flattest possible course either on a paved bike trail/road, dirt hiking trail or on a short-grass field (maybe part of a soccer complex). We will determine an adjustment scale that will attempt to equate the times run in these 4 types of surfaces. Schools that run their races in altitude will use the established adjustments.
B. Awards:
- Even though the awards are not a high priority for staging the event, we will make available the following keepsakes: T-Shirts to the first 10,000 participants that register for the event (designed with a covid theme), medals to the top 100 for each of the 48 scoring races, 7 patches to each of the top 6 teams in each of the 48 races.
C. Race Format:
- The races must take place the week of Sept. 14-18. The coach decides what day (during the meet week) fits best in the team’s training schedule. The individual race results must be reported by Fri., Sep. 18 at noon (EST),
- We recommend that the races be run under cool weather conditions (the weather at the real Classic) and the coach runs each squad separately. So, varsity boys run in their own race, var. girls in their own race, etc. We feel that running all the frosh boys together, for example, could be a good "dress-rehearsal” of what happens in a real invitational.
- If the virus protocols prohibit group runs, then the coach starts the fastest runner first and then the remaining runners at a certain time interval later. If the coach cannot have in-person contact with the athletes, then the athletes race on their own.
D. Results
- Individual results will be reported by the athletes to Athletic.net and will be posted live on Athletic.net as they are received from the individuals. The deadline for reporting the results will be Fri., Sep. 18 at noon (EST)
- Team and final individual results for each race will be posted online at www.gvarvas.com and athletic.net. To create as real as possible a Woodbridge Classic, we will post the team and overall results for each race at the meet scheduled time for that race. For example, the Boys Sweeps race results will be released/posted at 9:54 pm (EST) on Sat. the 19th.
E. Entry Fee
- The entry fee will be $10.00 for each participant. The fee is paid when the athletes registers in Athletic.net.
- This fee entitles the first 10,000 entrants to a meet T-Shirt (designed specifically for the Virtual race). Additionally, each participant will have the opportunity to earn an individual medal (top 100 times in each race) and 7 team patches (top 6 teams in each race) for their team.
F. Athlete Registration
- Participants will register on their own with Athletic.net. The coach can also register the athletes on the athletic school account. The school must have an Athletic.net account (free to set up).
- Registration deadline is September 12, 2020 at Midnight.
G. Divisions:
- White: School total enrollment between 1 and 799. Varsity A (1-500), Varsity B (501 – 799)
- Red: School enrollment between 800 and 1599. Varsity A (800-1199), Varsity B (1200 – 1599)
- Gold: School enrollment between 1600 and 2499. Varsity A (1600-2050), Varsity B (2051 – 2499)
- Blue: School enrollment of 2500 +. Varsity A (2500 -3000), Varsity B (3001 +)
H. Meet Schedule:
- http://gvarvas.com/meet-schedule/ **** No Novice races
We hope that you will find value in this event for your team and athletes. Please accept our request to encourage every member of your team to participate in this virtual event. The entry fee of $ 10 (which includes a T-Shirt) validates that the Classic staff is not staging this event to make money for our programs. In fact, we might not to be able to break even as the $ 10 entry fee must cover the costs for the shirts, medals, patches, supplies, online registration and shipping fees. We are staging this event for the good of our athletes and sport. Please plan to attend and help us create some buzz not only with your team, but teams in your area as well.
As always, we thank you for considering our event and encourage you to pass on suggestions that can improve the athlete experience.
Stay safe and run well!
George
949.632.4327
