If you know anything about the history of RunSignup, you know that we originated as a company of running nerds creating technology for other running nerds. While we appreciate all our customers, we were extra-excited this year to work with registration for the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.
The first Kinney Cross Country Championships (KCCC) National Finals was held in 1979. Today it is known as the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships and includes qualifying regionals competitions that culminate with a national meet in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Previous competitors include eventual world class athletes and Olympians. Registration on RunSignup is now open for athletes in the North East, South, Mid West, and West Regionals.
Meet the Foot Locker Cross Country Champs
While we often tell customer stories, this one is a little different. We set out to set the record for the most Foot Locker Champions on a single video call. It doesn’t appear that Guinness tracks this specific record, but at six people (representing seven championships), we think we’re probably first across the finish line.
Tune in for an inside look at some of the country’s best high school runners over the last 40 years as they share their experience in the race and reveal how they are still connected to the sport and the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.
Featured champions include:
Jorge Torres
Jorge was a four-time competitor at the Championships and the winner in 1998, setting the course record at the time. Today, he is the coordinator for the North East Foot Locker Championships.
Julia Stamps Mallon
Julia took the title as a Sophomore in 1994. Today, she owns a marketing agency working with a variety of endurance-related brands. This includes working with race sponsor Hoka on a special experience for this year’s competitors.
Marc Davis
Marc narrowly missed setting the course record with an early celebration, but still claimed the victory in 1986. Today, he does some business consulting and race announcing, as well as helping Jorge Torres with the North East Regionals.
Matt Downin
Matt ran at the Championships for four years, winning the same year as Julia (1994). His name be a familiar name to RunSignup customers; today, he is a VP of Business Development working largely with timing partners.
Bob Kennedy
Bob won the Championships in 1987, one year after being beat out by Marc Davis. His son and daughter are both college athletes, and he got to see his daughter Sophia compete at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships just a few years ago. He remains involved in the Running Industry via multiple retail running stores.
Melody Fairchild
Melody is one of just 11 two-time champions, taking hope the top spot in 1989 and 1990. Today, she runs the Boulder Mountain Warriors, a youth running program in Boulder, CO. One of the runners in the program? Jorge Torres’s nephew!
Thanks to all the runners for joining us! We hope our fellow running nerds have as much fun with this as we did, and we hope to see you cheering on the next generation of runners at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships!