The high school cross country season is more than two months
from starting but area distance runners are already gearing up for
this fall
’s campaign by getting into running shape with the Tri-County
Running Club. The club was put together by Hollister-San Benito
High cross country coach Jess Morales and North Monterey County
High cross country coach Gustavo Ibarra, but it is open to anyone
from San Benito, Santa Clara and Monterey
counties.
The high school cross country season is more than two months from starting but area distance runners are already gearing up for this fall’s campaign by getting into running shape with the Tri-County Running Club.
The club was put together by Hollister-San Benito High cross country coach Jess Morales and North Monterey County High cross country coach Gustavo Ibarra, but it is open to anyone from San Benito, Santa Clara and Monterey counties.
“Our first practice was Monday and it went really well,” Morales said. “We had runners out from as far away as Salinas and North County as well as Aptos. They all came out just to get into condition.
“That’s what the goal of the club is, to get an early start on the season.”
The club is a non-profit organization in its fifth year and features more than 50 of the area’s finest distance runners.
Over the years, the Tri-County Running Club has sent its runners to several big competitions, including the indoor Simplot Games and the Adidas/Nike Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
This year’s participants include Hollister Haybalers Rigo Vasquez and Amanda Boyd, both of whom competed on the Haybaler track and field team as well as the school’s cross country squad.
Boyd, who recently took 18th at the State Track and Field Finals in the 3,200 meters, said that running with the club in the offseason gives her a big edge when it comes time for the high school season to start.
“It’s a good thing for me,” Boyd said. “I’ve run with clubs before but not with a big group of people like this. I like it a lot so far. There’s a lot of (college-level runners) out there, like coach Morales’ daughter, and they push me, which is good.
“A lot of the elite runners are training over the summer and so it’s going to help me be ready for the season.”
Though the club is open to, and welcomes, Morgan Hill-area runners, Ibarra said none have signed up yet.
“It would be great to get some of those kids involved,” he said.
The club meets three times a week at 9am until August 1.
On Mondays, the club meets at the Gavilan College track in Gilroy, Wednesdays at Toro Park in Salinas and Fridays at Nisene Marks Park in Aptos.
There are also afternoon sessions at Hollister-San Benito High every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4pm for those who work or attend summer school.
Many of the club members will travel to Lake Tahoe for a week of high altitude training in July.
The club will also be holding overnight camp-outs at Mt. Madonna and Lake San Antonio this summer.
The club fee of $60 includes a t-shirt and uniform use.
For more information, contact coach Jess Morales at (831) 637-3062 or coach Gustavo Ibarra at (831) 524-1283.
