by Larry Eder
Nike 2010 BorderClash poster, courtesy of Nike & Runnerspace.com
So, it was way back in 1998 that the Nike BorderClash took a foothold in our sport and just has gotten better and better. Unfortunately, this will be the first year that I have missed it, but we will have coverage and a story on the event.
The brainchild of John Truax and Josh Rowe, the BorderClash is one of the singularly wonderfully creative consequences of running with friends, and perhaps some coffee and
adult beverages shared (not in that order). The idea of seeing who is the best in the Pacific
Northwest in high school cross country is the theme here, and the Nike campus has been the perfect place to hold the event, and catch up with friends in the sport.
The Nike BorderClash also gave birth to the NXN, the Nike cross country nationals, which gives the high school scene two championships to judge the best-the FootLocker (held on December 11) and the Nike NXN (held on December 4).
But, this Sunday, 40 boys and 40 girls from Washington and Oregon will duke it out over 4.4 kilometers, to see who gets to take home a Nike, the winged goddess of Victory. Should be fun!
To read about last year’s epic battle, please check out: https://www.runblogrun.com/2009/11/nike-border-clash-xi-washington-over-oregon-by-larry-eder.html
TWELTH-ANNUAL NIKE BORDERCLASH TO
FEATURE TOP HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS FROM OREGON AND WASHINGTON
Boys and girls cross country runners
from each state will race
Sunday, November 21st at Nike’s World
Headquarters in Beaverton
What: Nike
BorderClash
features the best high school runners from Oregon and Washington in a dual meet
format. Runners from each state–individuals who are fierce competitors during
the race season–have been selected to rally as one team under their respective
state’s flag. The race’s unique format is enhanced by cannons, fireworks and drum
bands that perform as each state’s team starts on separate starting lines. After
the official start, each team runs directly at the other team for the first 100
meters and then merges onto the 4.4K course throughout Nike’s campus. Washington currently leads the series 8-3.
The Nike
Sportsdesk, featuring announcer Tony Revis, will serve as home base for athlete
interviews, as well as race news and updates.
Who: The top 40 boys and top 40 girls
high school cross country runners from Oregon and Washington. Complete athlete
profiles are available at www.borderclash.com
Nike Elite Athletes: Kara Goucher, Lisa Koll, Dathan Ritzenhein and Galen Rupp
When: Sunday,
November 21, 2010
9:30
a.m. Future
Clashers and Media 1.5 mile race (free for kids in 8th grade or
younger)
10:00
a.m. BorderClash
Girls Race
10:45
a.m. BorderClash
Boys Race
Awards Ceremony immediately
following the boys race.
Where: North
Campus Athletic Fields, Nike World Headquarters, Beaverton, OR
Driving Directions from downtown Portland: Take Hwy 26 West. Exit at Murray Blvd. Turn Left onto Murray Blvd. Drive one mile and turn right onto
Walker Road. Turn left into Nike
World Headquarters. You can also
access campus from Murray Blvd. (entrance is on the right, just past Walker
Road).
The media check-in area will be located on Ronaldo Field
(between the Lance Armstrong Sports and Fitness Center and the Tiger Woods
Center).
For
participating athlete bios and photos, live helicopter video feed / webcast, race
results and further details, visit: www.borderclash.com
