Published: 01:15 AM, Sat Sep 04, 2010
Jungle Run attracts big field to South View
By Tyler Dunne
Staff writer
The shirt is a fashion statement of personal sacrifice. Wearing it is a message.
All summer long, South View's cross country team has been running 40, 50, 60 miles a week in pursuit of either a "300 club" or "500 club" shirt. Coach Jesse Autry relied on the honor system. Mile sheets are turned in with a parental signature. Across the backs of the shirts reads, "Fall holds no secrets."
"They know not to lie," Autry said. "Eventually, the truth comes out."
As in this weekend, where about 1,235 runners from 35 schools in North Carolina flock to Hope Mills for the 9th annual Jungle Run tonight. With a loaded field racing, the night meet is circled on calendars throughout the state.
Running under the stars is unlike anything they'll experience the rest of the season.
"It's a great event," Autry said. "The uniqueness of running at night is special."
The individual winners, Autry said, are practically a foregone conclusion. Blake Williams of Northern Durham should take first on the boy's side with Milbrook's Samantha George taking the girls title. After all, both won last year.
Autry compares it to Van Halen settling for the No. 2 top album spot week after week in the 80's. With Michael Jackson's "Thriller" around, Van Halen could only battle for second place.
He assures there is plenty of intrigue beyond the top dogs. Amongst the locals, Jack Britt's Alex Beaudette will be at the head of the pack. Last year, he took 12th. This year, coach Mike Lawrence expects him to finish in the top five.
Nothing like starting with a bang - this is Britt's first race of the season. The mystique of the Jungle Run is something his team looks forward to every year.
"It's a great experience for the kids to run at night," Lawrence said. "There isn't anything like it in North Carolina. You couldn't ask for a better atmosphere with the ambiance of running at 9:30 at night with the crowd at the starting line and finish line."
Lawrence expects it'll take a time in the 15:15-15:30 range to win - an indicator of just how loaded the field is. He said Beaudette and Clyde Wilson could both place in the top 10.
South View's Autry has different goals. His team is more "Battlestar Galactica," than "star driven" as Jack Britt's squad is. With several "300 Club" and "500 Club" runners top to bottom, he's gunning for a team title. Overall improvement is his aim.
"I know how good we are but I also know how inexperienced we are," Autry team. "We'll run as a pack and hope things shake out well."
Tyler Dunne can be reached at dunnet@fayobserver.com or 486-3513.