bad enough they have nxn there...
let's get these guys on a real course
bad enough they have nxn there...
let's get these guys on a real course
Agreed. Not much to add beyond your original point, but 100% agreed. The infield of a horse track? Come on. (And I say this having spent nearly a decade in PDX, and attended 'cross races there. Having NCAA xc there would just be silly.)
ya, that's pretty weak. Tell me this is a joke.
No question - you are right. That course is an embarrassment even for High School XC. To hold the NCAAs there is nearly unthinkable.
Yo - Man in Charge - Please come to your senses.
It's not an embarassment for high school cross country. I loved it when we went.
It would be terrible for NCAA XC, though.
I guess I'll just reiterate what everyone else has said. I thought it was fun as a high school course, but definitely subpar for the NCAA champs with 200+ runners in a race ... and 2k loops on that course doesn't seem very appealing.
I think Vin should just make some new course somewhere outside of Eugene. Could you think of any other suitable locations in the Eugene or Portland areas?
My Name is Judge wrote:
I think Vin should just make some new course somewhere outside of Eugene. Could you think of any other suitable locations in the Eugene or Portland areas?
They have done West Regionals at Blue Lake Park in Portland before. I like the course myself.
Ran this course for NXN, it doesn't accomodate the large number of runners. I'd be pissed if they ever held NCAA's there
Portland Meadows is an asinine place for ANY xc meet, even a hokey HS "national championship" meet. (The Oregon HS meet is elsewhere) Putting the NCAAs there is ridiculous, but Nike probably got a good deal on the rental.
Rumor has it that Vin tried to get U of P coach Conner to go in on a joint bid, though I can't imagine Rob would go for the horse track.
There are decent courses in Oregon, although I disagree that Blue Lake was particularly good (it's pancake flat), but it's probably a lot better than the Meadows.
Fort Vancouver (just across the river from Portland) hosted the USA championships a couple of times and its a great course. Due to the base there, I think there are some restrictions as to its use, but it's been done several times.. There was a smaller college championship on it last year.
Personally, I like the McIver course in Estacada as well, but it's about 30 miles outside of Portland - so probably too far, but it could accommodate the field.
They had USATF clubs at the Meadows (attached as a second-class, afterthought event to the NXN) and it was a disaster. This is a stupid idea and makes the state look like it doesn't even know what a xc course should look like.
Portland Meadows is being sold now. Shopping malls are popping up nearby and stores are looking for new land. Plus NCAA rules forbid championships 25 miles from the school that it was awarded to to prevent the athletics powerhouses like UCLA, USC, Texas, and Stanford from grabbing home field advantage.
You are seriously retarded if you actually think ANYONE was considering having NCAA DI Nats at Portland Meadows. No one ever even suggested that.
With some Nike $$ there are advantages of having the NCAA XC at the infield of a racetrack. With some machines, lots of rock and sand they can turn the infield to a proper course. They can put in a long climb, steep hills, mudd, sand, bridges, you name it, Nike should build it (not just putting some hay-hurdles in). The ISU course is also purpose build. Why should a powerhouse like Oregon run on the perimeter of a golf course, if they can have a real course (that also can be used for NXN).
It would be nice if they do that. Beside that. The course is almost near the town centre. That's way better for the event or xc in general than some course in the outback.
Please Nike take your responsability and put up the best NCAA XC ever on a real purpose build course!
Many have said I am inadequate, sub-par, not on the level for championship meets.
In 2004 I welcomed the best high school runners in the nation and world to traverse my trails. I am the benchmark for excellence for the prep cross runner.
I am not hilly but I am not flat. I am not slow but I am not fast. I challenge the runner to think, be smart, quick on their toes and light on their feet. I am me, the standard of excellence.
I am not Mt. Sac, I am not Manhattan, I am not Woodward Park, I am not Detweiler, I am me, 5000 meters of twists and turns, spectator friendly and honest. I am the home of champions.
To the prep athlete I issue a challenge, which prep boy will break 15 minutes? Which prep girl will break 17 minutes?
To the collegiate, welcome to my world and my challenges. Laced up your shoes, shut your mouth, toe the line and prove me wrong.
I am me, Portland Meadows. I am the home of champions.
Sincerely,
Passion.
Big Box stores are coming. Portland Meaddows is gonzo. Sold to developers.
PM never was and is dead. Sold to Chinese big box stores.
Been to PM. It was a good idea that didn't exactly work the best. For spectators inside the track there isn't alot of room. There also isn't a ton of room for viewing inside the building.
I liked the idea of having an area where older fans could watch live on tv. The live scoring is awesome.
I assume all of you bashing PM have never been to or seena World XC Champs - a 2k course (many times on the infield of a horse race track) is what the IAAF uses for World XC.
Yes I have been to PM and I think it would work great for NCAA XC
Big Box wrote:
Big Box stores are coming. Portland Meaddows is gonzo. Sold to developers.
Portland Meadows is not zoned for big box stores. The majority of the site has an industrial zoning. The way the operating agreement is structured also makes it unlikely it will be redeveloped anytime soon. Whatever goes there next, I'd almost guarantee it won't be a big box store. Not unless there is new leadership in Portland. I have not heard anything about redevelopment plans, of any kind, on the site.
muddy girl wrote:
Portland Meadows is an asinine place for ANY xc meet, even a hokey HS "national championship" meet. (The Oregon HS meet is elsewhere) Putting the NCAAs there is ridiculous, but Nike probably got a good deal on the rental.
Rumor has it that Vin tried to get U of P coach Conner to go in on a joint bid, though I can't imagine Rob would go for the horse track.
There are decent courses in Oregon, although I disagree that Blue Lake was particularly good (it's pancake flat), but it's probably a lot better than the Meadows.
Fort Vancouver (just across the river from Portland) hosted the USA championships a couple of times and its a great course. Due to the base there, I think there are some restrictions as to its use, but it's been done several times.. There was a smaller college championship on it last year.
Personally, I like the McIver course in Estacada as well, but it's about 30 miles outside of Portland - so probably too far, but it could accommodate the field.
They had USATF clubs at the Meadows (attached as a second-class, afterthought event to the NXN) and it was a disaster. This is a stupid idea and makes the state look like it doesn't even know what a xc course should look like.
The McIver course is beautiful! Somewhat fast, but still "real" cross country. Enough of this Fall Grass Track Championships nonsense. Everyone knows the top track studs will win when it's basically a track race. Let the mudders and hilltoppers have a chance for once!