Why Cross Country is Losing Popularity

runn wrote:

Cross-Country has more participants than any other high school sport.

It is very popular. Our local high school invites get thousands of spectators and there are web pages and facebook pages with ,many followers.

I'm a coach of a very good, local, team and people know who I am out in public- as they know the top runners.

Maybe you just live in the wrong place.

Try Upstate New York!

Also the World Cross Country Meet is the #1 most watched single day event in the world!

Think about it. Many countries do not have soccer, football, basketball, etc., because they cannot afford

arenas. Every country can afford cross country.

Cross Country is losing popularity with this generation because it is hard. They’d rather smoke out, party and play on their phone.

I have a better idea. Give students an A if they run 5 miles x 3 times week during or after school. Don't make it completive; make it part of their lives for the rest of their lives. Running , and walking for that matter, should be a cherish and daily practiced activity for everyone. When I was in some of the southern European countries everyone talk a long walk after dinner. It was exercise and social at the same time. Their life expectancy is higher than in the US and from I saw their quality of life is way higher.

Good points to your post, but:

I think it is GAINING popularity, well at least distance-running is.

Why?

1) Boston 2013

2) Social Media

3) McFarland USA. Lots of XC kids and coaches I know watched that at pre-race parties, pasta dinners, etc.

4) Hobbyjoggers

Their times might not be as good, but running and XC is still popular. The overall times/qualities are not as good as they used to be.

False premise, HS numbers are huge... it just is not as good of a spectator sport as football or basketball etc It's just not as entertaining.