Donna on the Side

The Big Day is here! Foot Locker Finals at Balboa Park. Like the superbowl, the final four, and the world series, the Foot Locker Cross Country National Finals ends the season in style, suspense and excitement. Set in the beauty and warmth of Morley Field in Balboa Park, San Diego California, the event provides one last hard meet that is dressed in a festive atmosphere.

Footlocker Nationals was not always Footlocker nor always in San Diego. Back in 1979 the Kinney Cross Country Championship was first run. Named after the sponsor Kinney shoes, it was held in Balboa Park San Diego for two years, 1979 and 1980. In 1981 it moved to Disney World in Orlando Florida where it stayed for two years. Then it moved back to Balboa Park for another 14 years, back to Orlando from 1997 through 2001 and finally moving back to San Diego again in 2002. Along the way, the name was changed from Kinney to Foot Locker with Nike as the major sponsor.

This is a meet for the best high school runners. It's an honor to make it to the finals and an ever greater honor to finish in the top 15 as All Americans. To win is to be the best of the best!

Now, on to the meet!

Downtown San Diego
In the harbor is the H.M.S. Surprise, a replica of an 18th century Royal Navy frigate. The ship used in the academy award winning film, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, has  a permanent home at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
From the Coronodo bridge the Del's red round rooftop beckons.
Welcome to the Del!
The Pacific Ocean and beach from the Del patio
What's this? Ice skating at the Del?
Missing the snow in the east, they're building a snowman.
Fun on the side
Enjoying the patio, Brad Siragusa VA, Michael Eaton KY and Elizabeth Yetzer MN