Bailey Hall

A snow covered FHS track.

Cross country and track and field are both very popular sports, but they have key differences that keep students divided over which of the two they prefer. “Cross country is a full 5k and everyone runs the same distance…during track there are so many different events… and you’re always running on the track.” said senior Cassidy Scott, a member of both the cross country team and the track and field team. Cross country has longer distance runs and different terrains to run on, while track only has one terrain and multiple events.

Both are great sports and many people who enjoy running do both so they can continue running all year round. “I do both spring and winter track and then cross country in the fall,” said Scott.
Some people do similar events in track and cross country depending on what distances they run. They are similar in many ways. For example, track runners have the option to run long distances and cross country is all long distances. Cross country has longer runs and track has shorter runs, such as the 400 meter dash. Because of this, some students prefer to run track. “I definitely like track more, I like middle distance running better,” said Scott.

Cross country has longer workouts than track does and takes place in the fall, so members end up running longer distances in hotter weather. “Cross country is a lot longer, and I feel the workouts are a lot harder, and it’s definitely hotter [during] cross country.” said senior Mackenzie Hodul, who is on both cross country and track and field. “Coach Scott is the coach on both teams here at FHS. He is a great coach and makes the team whole,” said Hodul. The team has a very strong bond, and its members work very well together. “I really like my teammates and they really encourage me and push me.” said Hodul.

Even though most prefer track and field, some enjoy cross country more. “Cross country is a longer distance, but it’s more fun because it’s in the sun and in the summer…we get to go to really pretty parks which makes it more enjoyable,” said senior Jake Miller.

Even though the sports are very different, they do still have their similarities. “Both of them involve running,” said freshman Renato Marecos. For people that love to run it makes sense to join cross country, track, or both, as many of the members already do.