State cross-country meet back in Palmer

PALMER - For most people, when searching for a new home, a quality view is high on the list of criteria. So why should the Alaska Schools Activities Association think differently when looking for a home for the state cross-country running championships?

They didn't.

Fortunately for Palmer High School, the Michael Janecek Running Trails offer arguably the best views for a spectator in the state. And thanks in part to that asset, the ASAA board of directors voted late last week to name PHS and the Janecek Trails as the site of the state cross-country running championships for three seasons, starting in 2007.

&#8220It's the most spectator-friendly venue, bar none,” said Janecek, a former activities director and running coach at PHS, longtime supporter of running in the Valley and the man the Palmer High running trails are named after.

Janecek said while PHS has the ability to offer several other amenities to the runners, fans and programs who will attend the event, the spectator-friendly layout of trails was the main selling point.

Kincaid Park in Anchorage, and Birch Hill, in Fairbanks, were the other venues considered by ASAA.

&#8220I am not saying that running at Kincaid Park is bad, it's a great place to run,” Janecek said. &#8220But the 40-something mom likely won't have to the tools to get out there (to watch the race.)”

Other factors that led to the decision included Palmer's new scoreboard and public address system. Palmer High also has its building just a few hundred yards away from the finish line to host the awards ceremony.

But more than just tools and facilities, Palmer also has a dedicated group of volunteers with vast experience hosting running meets.

&#8220Experience and personnel,” PHS activities director Brandon Blake said. &#8220I think we host a very quality meet, and everybody in the state knows

that.”

Annually, PHS hosts the Palmer Invitational Cross-Country Meet in the fall and the Palmer Relays track and field meet in the spring.

&#8220We have a very strong group of volunteers, a lot of people who take pride in what they do,” Janecek said. &#8220They are a key element.”

Starting in 2007, the state cross-country event will also include an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the vast culture that Alaska has to offer. On the night before the Saturday event, an evening of entertainment will be held at the Palmer Depot. Janecek said this will not be a &#8220dance or a party,” but rather a chance to appreciate Alaska native art and culture. He said he would like to invite groups such as the drill team from Bethel to perform.

The awarding of the state meet to PHS comes as sort of a rivalry is being formed between the Valley and Anchorage running communities.

In the past three years, Anchorage coaches have formed meets that directly compete with the two running events Palmer has hosted for more than two decades. The Anchorage events were created, in part, to help lure the state running events to Alaska's largest city.

&#8220I feel a little vindicated, I must admit,” Janecek said.

But just as Janecek is happy on several levels that Palmer has the chance to once again host the meet, his wish is to continue to keep the state's running community one unit. Janecek said, Palmer will continue to welcome teams from across the state, regardless.

Skyview High School has hosted the meet for the last three seasons. Before that PHS hosted the meet for three years. The state event was held at Kincaid for a decade, last in

1994.š