When Bridgeport Cross Country Coach Jon Griffith began exploring the idea of a new course at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex and having the team’s sole home meet there this year, he had no idea whether it would be boom or bust. As it turned out, it was a boom – and a big one at that.

 

The first Charles Pointe Indian Run Invitational had more than 600 participants and well over 1,000 spectators. Even Griffith, who has dealt with large crowds at several home track meets including the annual Harry Green Invitational, was taken aback.

 

“We had a great crowd at the meet Saturday … I think it’s the largest crowd for any event I’ve ever hosted. A few of the Harry Green Invitationals have been close to those numbers, but this (event) definitely beat them.”

 

Not only was it the biggest event in BHS cross country and track program era during Griffith’s two-plus decades, it was also something else. Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton, who also played a part in the creation of the new course that runs through city property and that owned by Genesis Partners  (the developers of Charles Pointe), was also taken aback by the numbers.

 

“We’ve had some large tournaments at that complex and it’s been crowded, but that was the biggest crowd that’s ever been there,” said Burton.

 

While Griffith had already planned on having another Indian Run next year on the new course, he said the numbers and turnout has him now looking at something else. He said he hopes to expand the field next year.

 

“Now that athletes and coaches have seen the course and seen the results from this year’s race, there will be a lot of interest from teams for next year.  Who wouldn't want to come and run on such a fast and scenic course?  I have a feeling that the meet will be much larger next year,” said Griffith. “ … We have already started planning for next year’s race.  There were some issues with parking and restroom facilities that we will need to improve.  To meet these challenges, we have formed a race committee to start planning and preparing for next year’s race.  I can envision this becoming one of the largest meets in the state.”

 

Of course, one of the problems mentioned above was the parking. Griffith said there was no parking at the facility and that cars were parked along sections of Route 131.

 

Part of that problem could be remedied by the time the 2015 cross country season rolls around. City Manager Kim Haws has been working with the Benedum Airport Authority about turning in vacant land directly across from the Rec Complex into an area for spillover parking – as well as storage facilities for Rec Complex and other city materials. The lot would also be able to be utilized by the airport if necessary. Haws’ proposal calls for more than 100 spaces to be created.

 

Some critical of the move have stated that there would never be events at the Rec Complex that would facilitate the need for spillover parking. This event, at least, and others planned and hope for by Parks and Recreation officials have proven that wrong.

 

“That additional parking would have come in great for this event … You could see the car all along Route 131 and I was told that traffic was even backed up at one time,” said Burton. “This event and the events we hope to have for the facility are only going to continue to grow.”

 

Griffith said the parking was an issue, but the impact of that was lessened thanks to two city groups. He said without those groups, things could have been much worse.

 

“The Bridgeport City Police and VIPS were there to assist with parking and they did a great job.  There were just so many cars,” said Griffith. “They filled the lots and the complex and were parked down both sides of the entrance road.  (The additional property for parking) will provide much needed additional parking.  We will also be looking at using the field behind the multipurpose field for parking next year, as well as possibly shuttling people from the Airport, Charles Pointe or White Oaks.”

 

Griffith said reviews from the meet were almost exclusively positive. He also said there was likely a very large economic impact from the number of visitors that were in the area for the event that lasted several hours.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the large crowd just from one of the races this past Saturday, while the bottom photo shows Jon Griffith (in white shirt) working with numerous volunteers in photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com. P&R Director Don Burton is shown in the middle photo.