I ran the first cross country race at Macalpine in 1978 and have run there most days ever since. Over the years the course has changed a lot. Hills have been added, trees removed, corners rounded, distances changed as the old 3 mile was changed to a 5k. A year ago, the city of Charlotte began adding a new sewer system right through the macalpine course. During the summer, the director of the south footlocker meet measured the course many times due to the work on the course. He added 70 meters just past the mile mark to make it an official 5000. He said the reason he had to add the meters were the changes on the corners and turns. While the course has always been suspiciously fast, keep in mind it is hard packed gravel, doesn't slow due to mud and only has one short steep hill. It is almost as fast and has the same feel as the old cinder tracks.