Race Through the Gorge

Photos provided by ​Cloie Cortez 

By: Brynnley Prijatel 

The Cross Country Hornet team ran through the Royal Gorge the week of Sept. 22.

Senior, Cloie Cortez said, “The Royal Gorge meet is definitely interesting. The first mile and a half is completely uphill, which is brutal. Luckily, that means the rest is back down. While you do have a lot more momentum going downhill, the impact on your body is a lot more painful. The finish line is on the opposite end of the bridge, so for the last 800m you have to run across. I know it's especially difficult for people with a fear of heights but at least it gives motivation to finish.”

The Royal Gorge course is one of the fan favorites viewing wise. The runners train specifically for it to make sure they are in shape. While the Royal Gorge is a gorgeous course, the physical demands are harsh, testing the runners with steep inclines, uneven terrain, and the high altitude that pushes runners to their limit. 

Senior, Richard Sagona said, “I’ve focused a lot more on placing this season, much more than last year.  The way I handle nerves before a race is to go over how I'm going to race and use them for my start.”

Although the Royal Gorge course was very difficult and physically demanding, the PCHS Cross Country team managed to complete the course in a timely manner.