Movie Reviews

Cross Country

"Cross Country - A Celebration of the Purest Form of Running" is your chance to view over a dozen classic cross country races. From the 1987 Kinney Cross Country Championships to the 2002 Usa Winter Cross Country Championships, check out some of the greatest American runners and head-to-head competitions ever assembled in one place. With six years of Footlocker High School Championships you will see both men and women match up with the best runners that qualified from each of the four regions to try earning All-American status by finishing in the Top 15. In the 1989 race Marty Liquori states "The Kinney National High School Championships has become the most prestigious running event in high school competition and the only definitive national championships in all of high school sports". One announcer described this well known course by saying "The race is quick from the gun and it is hard to pass when the course becomes more narrow; the 5K course is two laps of this challenging Balboa Park loop in San Diego with lots of turns, rolling terrain, and one big hill which is run twice". Quotes from post race interviews: "It's a lot of hard work, a lot of miles; what makes a great cross country runner I think is the mental toughness you have to have the entire race - you can't have any letdowns or you're done" (Bob Kennedy); "I just knew I had to go for it and give it my all which I'm so glad because it's the first race where I've gotten to do that and I think that's what running is all about is putting your heart and your guts on the line: I feel great" (Melody Fairchild); "I knew as long as I was with someone I could be a competitor until they break me; I was heaving after the race so I can't be disappointed with the effort" (Andy Maris); "Her hands were kind of going all over the place and her neck was all tight so I just lengthened my stride and my coach was going crazy so I kicked it in really hard" (Erin Davis). The list of competitors seen in this video is like a "who's who" of American cross country. Some of the featured male athletes include Abdi Abdirahman, Tim Broe, Alan Culpepper, Bryan Dameworth, Matt Davis, Matt Downin, Adam Goucher, Gabe Jennings, Sharif Karie, Meb Keflezighi, Bob Kennedy, Matt Lane, Teddy Mitchell, Abdirizak Mohamud, John Mortimer, Pat Porter, Jonathon Riley, Steve Slattery, and Jorge Torres. And on the women's side you will see Erin Davis, Colleen Dereuck, Deena Drossin, Melody Fairchild, Suzy Favor-Hamilton, Sally Glynn, Kristen Gordon, Regina Jacobs, Melissa Lucas, Kim Mortensen, Liz Muhler, Jen Rhines, Julia Stamps, and Carrie Tollefson. This 82 minute collection of fantastic cross country races can be ordered directly from Sportfilm.com in either DVD or VHS format. If you are seeking motivation, inspiration, or the extra ability to visualize for the big race at the end of this season then this is the right video for you. The only downside to the DVD is it is not indexed to make it more easy to go to your favorite race, but don't despair because each of these competitions have something to offer the viewer and you wouldn't want to miss a single one of these races.

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