As the cross country season comes to a close, runners vie for a spot at the Foot Locker Championship in Balboa Park, San Diego California.   This year is a milestone year as Foot Locker celebrates its 30th year of running.  But the rules of the game are still the same and getting to the finals means qualifying in a regional meet by being one of the first 10 finishers. Runners compete in the South, MidWest, West and Northeast regionals. In a field of good and seasoned runners, getting to go to Foot Locker finals is no easy task.

The Northeast Regional is run on one of the most difficult courses in cross country, Van Cortlandt Park on the edge of New York City. Saturday was a beautiful day as the sun peaked in and out. The championship races are held in the middle of several races run during the day; family, friends, classmates and fans line the sidelines cheering for sometimes one and sometimes all. Parents pace on the sidelines, engaged sometimes in nervous chatter and even grandparents get in on the nerves game. And then when it's all over, kids smile or cry while parents celebrate or comfort. It's all in a day on the road to Footlocker Finals.

Now onto the Meet!