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Thousands Expected to be in Bridgeport Saturday as Annual Indian Run Invitational Set for Rec Complex

By Jeff Toquinto on September 12, 2019 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

When September rolls around, most of the big activity taking place at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex is winding down. There are a few exceptions, and Saturday is one of them.
 
Once again, Bridgeport High School will play host to the annual CharlesPoint-Indian Run Invitational that will see a combined gathering of athletes and spectators easily in excess of 1,000 individuals. Although it’s still an early meet for the Bridgeport Cross Country teams, the third meet of the year is one of the most important.
 
“This is a huge event for our program and the school.  This is one of the largest meets in the state and brings in significant revenue for the school and the program,” said veteran Coach Jon Griffith.
 
Just how big?
 
There will be 20 high schools taking party. There will be 17 middle schools involved. Registered athletes as of Monday stood at 786 and there will be large number of spectators on hand as well.
 
“We should have at least 1,000 spectators, maybe twice that. That bring our total attendance in the vicinity of 2,000 to 2,500 people,” said Griffith. “I would say that counts as a significant event.”
 
The event isn’t new, but the course at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex will be new. It’s the result of the ongoing construction of the indoor facility being built on the site.
 
“The new course is nearing completion.  This year we will have to deal with a little dirt and straw at the beginning and end of the race, but it is going to be a much better course than previous years,” said Griffith. “With the tremendous cooperation of the Bridgeport Parks and Rec Department, the City of Bridgeport, CEC, Genesis Partners and Green River Construction, we have a lot to look forward to for this race and the future. 
 
“I am eternally indebted to all of these groups as well as our Bridgeport T&F/XC Parents Association, Bridgeport High School, Bridgeport Fire Department, Bridgeport Police Department, Bridgeport Emergency Services and Bridgeport City Council for all of their continued support for this event,” said Griffith.
 
Saturday’s schedule begins at 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. with teams touring the course. At 9 a.m. the high school girls race starts followed by the boys at 10 a.m. and the awards ceremony at 11 a.m.
 
From 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., middle school teams can tour the course. The girls middle school event starts at 11:30 a.m., while the boys will begin at noon. Middle school awards will be presented at 12:30 p.m.
 
Teams that arrive on Friday will also be able to inspect the course and practice on it. The time frame for that has been set from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
 
The high school field consists of Bridgeport, Fairmont Senior (girls), Southern Garrett of Maryland, Oak Glen, Robert C. Byrd, Winfield, South Harrison (boys), Notre Dame, Serra Catholic (Pa.), Elkins, North Marion, Lewis County, Clay Battelle, Trinity Christian (boys), Philip Barbour, Weir, Westside, Baldwin of Pennsylvania, Lincoln, and Norther Garrett out of Maryland.
 
The middle school field includes Bridgeport, Suncrest, Mountaineer Middle, Notre Dame, Buckhannon-Upshur, Westwood, Robert L. Bland, Central Preston, Kasson, Winfield, Taylor County, Trinity Christian, Oceana, Washington Irving, Mountaineer Middle of Monongalia County, Lincoln, and Baileysville (girls).
 
Cost to attend is $5. There will be concessions and apparel for sale. As for parking, Saturday will see cars being parked at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex on a first come first serve basis. 
Buses will drop teams at the Complex and will then be directed to parking.  Bus Shuttle Service will be available after the Rec Complex is full by parking at Bridgeport High School. Tickets will be sold as you board the bus and you will be dropped inside the complex at the top of the hill avoiding long ticket lines and climbing the Rec Complex hill. 
 
Click HERE for directions to Bridgeport High School and the bus shuttle service. Click HERE for directions to the Bridgeport Recreation Complex and the cross country course.
 
Editor's Note: Photos show the start of the boys and girls races last year, while bottom photo shows city staff handling logistics. Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.


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