KM507 wrote:
Runners are definitely faster (just look at the track times), probably because of the shoes. But there are also barely any real XC courses anymore. I think the advent of TFRRS and the importance of the subjective coaches’ poll have made everyone scared of difficult courses - nowadays it’s just running on a grass track (possibly even faster than a track if the weather’s right).
The final nail in the coffin for real “Cross Country” courses was when Columbia hosted Ivies 5-6 years back. Instead of running on the legendary VCP course, with Cemetery Hill and the back hills, they cut out hills entirely and created a joke 10k course that was literally just 10 laps of the open field next to the parking lot.
There are also a lot of courses that are just straight up incorrectly reported, and all the coaches (and meet directors) know it.
There were a few earlier this season that were 1/4 mile both long and short, depending on the race. Some people thought that had set massive PRs, some thought they had the worst race of their lives.
Then people online looked at results, saying "WHOA, XXXX school CRUSHED this invite!" while others said "XXXXX goes home DEVASTATED with slow times", when in reality, the courses were just over a minute short or long.