USATF National Club XC Championships 2022 - Golden Gate Park surface?

I ran there yesterday and today. It was a bit worse today. The polo field is hard. You can run to the inside of it where it's more dirt, but it seems like that's where the larger puddles tend to collect, so choose your poison. I don't think I want to wear spikes on it. And you're probably on there for 1/3 of the race. I'd say the worst part at this point was going down JFK, but that also seems pretty rocky. I'm likely going to go with a spikeless waffle racer type shoe, but it will be a race day call depending on just how bad it is in the morning.

It is not asphalt. It is just hard packed dirt and gravel. Asphalt is specifically the petroleum based black material used to pave roads. The Polo field is not paved with asphalt. There are some areas on that track that are indeed as hard as asphalt, but calling the track asphalt is objectively false.

Given the rain in the last week and the forecast for Saturday there will likely be less parts that are as hard as asphalt. I have run on the track in spikes in drier conditions and it was not terrible. Spikes will definitely be worse on the polo field track that flats, but flats will be way worse on the grass and dirt trails than spikes. I would still lean towards spikes to get their benefit on the soft stuff as I believe that outweighs there performance loss on the Polo field track.

People shouldn’t have to decide what types of shoes to wear for cross country. I’ll be wearing vaporflies. Vaporflies for a “cross country” race.

Well then, have a nice trip. See you next fall

What's the all American vs hobby jogger cut off tomorrow?

Good luck to all competitors!

Based on the course. 1 hour. Hilly, sloppy mud with four surface types. Spikes not recommended if you have weak ankles.

It’s all grass/dirt trail except for a few road crossings. You’ve never been to Golden Gate Park.

How do we watch?

Same question. I just went to USATF.TV and they're not streaming it. Boo! :(

Rain and wind....

I'm sure tens of people are clamoring to watch hobby joggers from home

At the meeting they said it was "going to be YouTubed" but didn't elaborate any further as to what that meant.

You left out “and lots and lots of mud.”

Let's never have this meet here again

Hansons always run well at Club Cross winning both Mens and Womens Team titles.

I found out today that prize money is only given to teams. Zero for individuals.

Way to go Hanson's!!!!!!!

The early races will have varied terrain, so you can make spikes work, but flats are probably better. You may also want to wear a helmet, as trees may be falling during the race.

The later races will just be laps around the polo field, so spikes are great. You may even PR.

Good luck, have fun!