They’re known for running on outdoor terrains, fields, parks, and even hills but what about the dark. Running in the dark can now be checked off their list for this cross country team. Friday, September 12th, at the “Tiger Twilight Meet” in Fremont the cross country team will go against multiple class runners during this night’s race.

“Well it’s a little bit different just because it’s obviously going to be run at night,” senior Garrett Barreras said. “We’ll have to start preparing a little bit earlier and just getting ready because we don’t typically run at night.” 

Barreras is one of the boys varsity runners. He is known for being very positive and always pushing the team to their best efforts. Barreras said this is the team’s first time doing a night race so there will be some challenges and obstacles not typically found in a regualr cross country meet. 

“So the big thing that’s different for us is with running at night is how we fuel throughout the day to prepare for the race,” Head Coach Spencer Stednitz said. “So like we’ll do some things differently beforehand so that we, you know, eat something light so they have enough energy to complete the race.”

Since this is a night race the way the runners will gain their energy and just prepare for the race will be different than their normal races. The runners normally have morning meets and get to start the day with a breakfast from their boosters however this will change.

“Fremont had to move their course, so it’s actually going to be a whole different experience entirely,” Barreras said. “So not only are we going to be running at night but also it’s going to be a completely different course.” 

The team won’t only be battling running at night but also a whole new course layout. For this, they have to practice and start adjusting to not only the big idea of them running in the dark but also the small idea that the course is changed. 

“So they will have lights to light up the entire course,” Stednitz said. “It’s flat, so there’s no hills or anything, so it should help kind of make for a fast course with fast times.”

The course will be lit up allowing visibility for the night runners. Since the course is different with it being just flat and not with a lot of hills it will prevent any obstacles like holes or anything like that which will help benefit the runners. 

The runners said they are going into this race with high expectations, positivity, and with goals set to either hit a new pr or have a good run.