B.A.A. to support Massachusetts Middle School Invitational Cross Country Meet and USA Track & Field New England Open and Masters Cross Country Championship in 2012.

Due to future improvements and current construction to the cross country course and fields at Franklin Park in Boston, the Mayor’s Cup Cross Country and Youth Races will not occur in 2012. The Mayor’s Cup will return in 2013, however, and the tentative date is Sunday, October 27, 2013.

The Mayor’s Cup began in 1990 and the B.A.A., in partnership with adidas, has supported the event since 1997. Over that time, the event has grown to include multiple races for athletes of all ability levels, has become one of the premier cross country meets on the East Coast, and has been regarded as an important tune-up for the USA Fall National Club Cross Country Championship. The Mayor’s Cup is directed by USA Track & Field – New England, and is staged with the cooperation of Boston Parks & Recreation and Boston Centers for Youth & Families. Improvements to drainage, run-off areas, pathways and entrance ways are now underway and will greatly enhance the cross country experience in future years. As a result of the improvement project, all cross country meets have been relocated from Franklin Park during the 2012 season. While Franklin Park has received regular maintenance annually, the last major improvement to the cross country course was in 1991 which was in preparation for the 1992 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

In order to continue its support of cross country in the local community, this year the B.A.A. will give its support to two other meets. Interested cross country runners are encouraged to learn about the two opportunities which the B.A.A. is supporting and to participate.

Saturday, November 3, 2012: Massachusetts Middle School Invitational
Hosted by USATF-NE. Supported by the Boston Athletic Association.
Location: Tewksbury, Mass. (tentative)
(information as of 8/24)

Sunday, November 18, 2012: USATF New England Open and Masters Championship
Supported by the Boston Athletic Association
Location: Stanley Park, Westfield, Mass.

• Men Masters 8K, Women Open/Masters 6K, Men Open 8K.
• This is a New England Cross Country Grand Prix Event.
• Online entry for USATF members will begin in early October.
• Collegians/non-US runners require hard-copy entry.

In cooperation with the B.A.A., this meet will feature an increased and individual prize purse in 2012. For reference, Stanley Park in Westfield, MA is approximately 100 miles (2 hour drive) from Franklin Park. It is approximately 12 miles (20 minutes) outside and west of Springfield.

For a cross country schedule of meets in the New England area, please visit http://www.usatfne.org/cross/