XC AISG Invitational: Racing Round The Mountain

This article is a collaboration between writers Chirag Asnani and Nina Sepahi.

Last weekend, runners from three neighboring schools hopped on a bus early Saturday morning to run against our cross country team at AISG’s home course: “The Mountain.” The high school girls’ race started at around 10:40 AM, with 15 runners from AISG, UISZC, UISG, and CIS. The boys’ race started at around 11:20 AM, with 24 runners from the same schools.

The Mountain is not an ordinary cross country 5 km race. For starters, cross country usually implies the presence of dirt paths and natural, beautiful scenery. However, our route (two 2.2km laps with a 600m lap of the pond in between) consists of long, steep uphills, and a smooth concrete path; unlike orthodox cross country terrain. AISG’s 12 boys and 7 girls had a slight advantage over the other schools, due to their familiarity with such an unorthodox, tricky course. Leah Lee, the girls’ team captain, said, “home course advantage is crucial with cross country. We know “the Mountain” better than any of these runners, and that’s why we’re at an advantage.” Due to poor weather conditions, the pond was closed off for Saturday’s race, forcing runners to run an extra 500 meters across the bridge at the beginning of the route.

As a result, the race distance was 5.5km instead of the ordinary 5k. However, sophomore Leyla Sepahi expressed that “the route actually felt a bit shorter. I guess I was just grateful to have a little change of scenery. After 2 years of running on the Mountain, I know every inch of it and often feel bored on the course.”

AISG brought home 5 out of the 6 available medals from the race. For the girls race, captain Nina Sepahi brought home first place, with fellow senior Leah Lee not far behind in second. Freshman Noya Gadi impressed all with a 3rd place win, completing the all-AISG podium. Seniors Brian Jung and Andrew Renfrow finished second and third in the boys race, with Utahloy’s fastest runner earning first place at our home course. Brian Jung was quoted saying, “I could have won the race. I lost it in the last 100 meters. I’ll be sure to bring back gold at APAC.” Runners at APAC, unlike the AISG Invitational, win a gold  medal for placing anywhere in the top 10, and teams win medals based on overall performance. Our runners have trained hard over the last month, and are well prepared for Thursday’s trip to Bangkok for the IASIS invitational. They will stay in a hotel for the first night, before traveling a few hours out to a remote resort, near where the race will take place. 12 schools compete in the race and around 80 runners participate. Even though it will be tougher, hotter, trickier, and more competitive, AISG’s cross country team is looking forward to the challenge and will look to represent the school to the best of their ability.