NXN is on! Is Runninglane dead?

Quote: "This, or until Portland starts rioting over something else."

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Well, Portland has around 4 1/2 months to clear out the mounds of trash & the, ahem, "displaced persons" camps from Glendoveer...

The soggy, rutted course can be tricky enough, let alone trying to navigate through a hodge-podge of tents, cardboard boxes, and the like.

Screw Nike, they absolutely bailed. They were fine having college football games with 60K people all fall and college basketball games with thousands of fans indoors but a single weekend of XC is too much. Give me a break, they were fine hosting their money grab regional meets which qualified you nowhere. Nike easily could have figured out the logistics.

Or they could leave the "displaced persons" on site, maybe they can pay them to cheer for the runners too to simulate the runninglane experience with over 10k people.

Confused...Nike had college football games? I'm not ripping Running Lane but somebody could easily say, "Where was Running Lane for 15 years? They didn't care about the kids.". The argument is silly that Nike bailed. They made a decision that they felt was best for their workers, company, etc. More entities need to do that. NXN is very different than "show up to our race on your own dime. Race goes off at 10 am".

You are right NXN is very different. It is a Nike Marketing event where they tell the kids when/where to eat, sleep, poop, when they will arrive and leave, what clothes/gear to wear.... It is nothing more than a giant advertisement for Nike, nothing more.

I'm happy for the kids that choose to run slow in the mud for some free slave labor gear, good for them.

I went to Running Lane with 5 athletes that I coach - 2 had just graduated from HS and ran the open race and then 3 of my HS athletes ran in the 2nd and 3rd races. All but 1 PR'd and they all had an amazing experience, Alan Webb spent time with every person that approached him, the course is fantastic and atmosphere was inclusive of all, not just the elites. Best part was seeing other kids gets so excited about seeing the Newbury Park kids and the other star runner's there, saw a boy showing his teamates his spikes that the NP kids had signed. Huge NP fan - what a great group being gracious to all. I would argue that Running Lane is much better for the development and betterment of HS cross country in the US

You mean Nike pays for you to eat, sleep, etc. I've been to NXN. It's a great event.

They couldn't really have easily said where is Running Lane 15 years ago since they weren't even a company. I think a tad more is involved in their planning then telling people to just show up. It is clear you have never been involved in race planning at any level, let alone a race of this size and caliber. It's also kind of funny that you think Nike actually cares about its workers. Why don't you ask some kids from Indonesia or China about how much Nike cares? Running Lane puts on an awesome event which will again draw top talent, but will also give all kids of all abilities an opportunity. Maybe more entities need to do that?

Remind us, how many NXR and Eastbay regional meets are there and how many kids run at them?

I saw that. I knew they were hoping to get someone to pay for trace and accommodations for top teams but this just references gear. Probably doesn’t move the needle much?

Deals between entities usually require NDAs which would prevent said entities from sharing details of money exchanging hands. I wouldn't count out travel, it is only July afterall.

You missed my point entirely. I'm not arguing either is better but to say Nike bailed after they carried and expanded the sport for so many years is a poor take.

And I have been involved running large, multi state meets with thousands of athletes. They are a lot of work. With that said, NXN is very different than Running Lane. All the work is the same, but add travel plans, hotel rooms, meals, bussing back and forth from all over Portland and more. To argue these meets are similar in planning is just wrong. Most large meets require a ton of planning but meet organizers don't have to deal with teams and athletes showing up. The Manhattan Invite is huge and requires a ton of work but they absolutely set up a schedule and teams show up.

And lastly, NP will go to whatever meet they want as I'm guessing Running Lane will pay their way. Most teams won't have that on that table.

Casually accusing high school kids of doping. Nice.

So is RunningLane gonna consist of only teams that can’t make it to NXN?

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No. Our team is going to Runninglane. Our NXR is an 8 hour drive and it is on a crappy course.

At this point, if NXN is cancelled, I would no longer be disappointed.

There will be so many good SW teams finishing in the top again.

cherokee trail, Riverton, Herriman, Niwot, American Fork, Mountain View, Mountain Vista (4 sub-16 guys are back) should all make the top race and do well there. probably some more too.

4 South teams - Jesuit LA, SLC, Woodlands and Atascocita would make the gold race.

CA will have more than just NP, Great Oak and Granada. Gotta look at Clovis. Some more too I am sure.

Midwest will have more good teams than just Center Grove and Carmel. Brebeuf will be good if their 4-5 are.

Kickapoo MO (pretty much all seniors) and Mason OH. Maybe Hinsdale Central or Plainfield South but idk.

Southeast has Belen, Bolles, Wando, and some good TN teams.

Heartland is actually the best they have been in a while. Wayzata, Millard West (if they find a 5), and Lakeville North will be good.

Northeast got CBA, Union Catholic and Bishop Hendricken.

Northwest might have few others besides Jesuit and Blanchet. Crater should be one to watch, and maybe some Idaho teams