Cross-country running at Middlesex School enjoys both a storied tradition and a remarkable recent record of success. Our teams have won multiple ISL and New England titles, captured numerous individual accolades and prepared runners to compete with distinction at the collegiate and national level. Yet through it all, the camaraderie of our team and the passion for running exhibited by our athletes, born on crisp fall days in the woodlands and fields of Concord, remain our most distinctive achievements.
Speed, stamina, and mental discipline all play a role in the making of a successful racer. However, a single fast runner cannot secure a victory for a team; winning requires a full team effort. Since the scores are tallied from the finishing places of the first five runners from each team, the outcome of races is not decided until fourth or fifth runner crosses the line, no matter how fast the first two runners might be; sometimes, even the sixth or seventh runners “count” in the final score by displacing runners from the opposing teams. Indeed, a team without at least five really solid runners, with two steady performers in support, can rarely excel against the competition.
In order to prepare our team to meet those challenges, we set up a five-day training week which includes long-distance running, hill running, and short-distance speed work, mixing the strenuous days with recovery days. By keeping careful records of each runner’s daily performance as the season advances, the coaches are able to determine a goal for each runner in every upcoming race, broken down into one-mile paces and a finishing time. Expectations are always high, but most runners measure up.
We are proud to say that we have turned many inexperienced runners into strong competitors and many strong competitors into All-League and All-New England selections. I know we have imbued still more of our athletes with a lifelong love of our sport. I welcome your interest in our program, and I wish you the very best in your application process.
Ryan Tolfree
Head Boys’ Cross-Country Coach
rtolfree@mxschool.edu
