--Varsity 5K Course--
(5k Course Map) (5k Google Course Map-jpg)
Site: Camillus Middle School, Ike Dixon Road, Camillus N.Y. 13031
Course Basics: With the addition of new trails in the back field, the 'final' version of the WG 5k XC course may finally have been achieved after years of construction/playing field conflicts. This configuration eliminates runner cross-over by adding a challenging 'inner loop' to the back field that will certainly run rough for a season or two as the trail matures. The advantage of the new inner loop is that it creates high spectator visibility for that competitive mid-section of the race from the school's outdoor classroom spot("Spectator Area") which includes bench seats.
The Course: A fast start across flat school grounds quickly gives way to The Rise that moves runners up onto The Terrace. Curving left down off The Terrace, the racers cross a back playing field and hit the first substantial(though short) hill, Tunnel Hill. They quickly re-emerge from the upper trails, descending behind the school and down Connector Trail, they power right through Three Corners and race alongside Ike Dixon Field to a left run into the Woods Loop. Once into the Woods loop, they are invisible to spectators, negotiating the narrow, twisting trails and passing the 1 mile shortly before re-emerging onto the back field where they immediately encounter a second short, steep hill before disappearing again on a trail along the back boundary of the school property. Circling that field, they pass immediately in front of the Ampitheater Area before heading left through Three Corners and left into the new inner loop section of the course. Some points on the 1/2 mile inner loop are visible to spectators. At the end of that clockwise twisty loop, the racers disappear back into the Woods Loop, this time running it clockwise. They are next visible coming out of the Woods Loop, back through Three Corners, and fight for position before taking a hard left and climbing the longest and most difficult hill of the course, the Ampitheater Hill. Emerging at the top, the racers are briefly visible to finish line spectators before they traverse the School Hill upper trails, drop back down Tunnel Hill, cross the back playing field and reverse The Terrace. Picking up finish speed, they veer right off the end of The Terrace and sprint the last meters to the finish.
Course Characteristics: This course is 80% field and woods trails. It is deceptively challenging due to cumulative elevation gains and the 'European' nature of its trails. Spectators and athletes alike have noted the scenic value of the back field area. Catch it on a crisp, clear fall day and you will probably agree.
-Modified course-
The Course: The modified XC course takes the same opening as the varsity 5k. A fast start across flat school grounds quickly gives way to a rise that moves runners up onto The Terrace. Curving left down off The Terrace, the racers cross a back playing field and hit the first substantial(though short) hill, Tunnel Hill. They quickly re-emerge from the upper trails, descending behind the school and down Connector Trail to the back field section of the course. At the bottom of the Connector Trail, the runners angle right and trace their way through "Three Corners" and into the back field along the woods. Further down that border, they turn left and run the Woods Loop. Emerging from that loop, they turn sharply right and climb the back hill of the Outer Loop before continuing all the way around that perimeter trail. Coming back around and past the Connector Trail, the runners take a right turn and begin the climb up the steep Ampitheater Hill. Emerging at the top, they quickly traverse the upper trails, drop back down Tunnel Hill, cross the back playing field and reverse the Terrace. Picking up finish speed, they race along The Terrace and make a final right hand turn past the big tree before sprinting the last meters to the finish.
