Walking into McCulloch Stadium at Bush’s Pasture Park in Salem brings back the memories of high school track and field meets: the fresh air, the perfectly groomed track, the runners.
McCulloch Stadium is where the last 400 meters of the 5,000-meter Willamette Invitational cross country race takes place. The race starts by the softball field and works around the park, finishing on the McCulloch track, just in front of the stands.
The stands seem empty when I walk in. The meet is between races, with five minutes until the women’s Division I race starts. I walk around the stadium to the back side of the park. There, between the softball field on the left and the miniature forest on the right, are the runners.
A sea of colored uniforms and warm-ups. Piles of duffel bags in the open, unmarked field. White lines on the grass — marking the starting boxes for each school. Spectators lined up behind the flags, waiting to cheer for their favorite runner after the horn.
With two minutes left before the race starts, the runners are told to get into their boxes. Standing approximately 100 feet in front of the runners, the man who starts the race gives them their rules. If anyone falls before where the sideline flags end, the race starts over. If anyone makes a false start, the race starts over.

When the starting horn goes off, the once-open field becomes one giant mass, all moving together, working for the same goal — to finish the race. The mass moves slowly at first, as the short, wide group becomes long and skinny after about 300 yards. The runners, from Division I colleges, club teams and independent runners, settle into their own pacing. Many of them are running with someone wearing a matching uniform.
As the women race around the park, the spectators move with them. Certain spots are the top views, these places are spotted by the large gravitation of spectators before the runners even run by them. Following the crowd, I am able to pick up the races from four different viewpoints ­ the start, as they loop back by the softball field, as they enter the stadium for their final 400 meters and as they pass through the chute just past the
finish line.
The starting line is the most inspirational, the chute the most telling. With the runners lined up at the start, it looks like an army going off to fight a battle. They are determined to run their hearts out, and no one is going to stop them. When they pass through the chute, each runner had a unique look on their face. You can tell those who are in pain, those who are disappointed and those who are pleased with their performance. Most of all, you can tell they want to do it again. Just not right then.
The fans cheering for the women know each one by name. As they race by each viewpoint, fans call out “keep it strong,” “looking good,” and “make your move.” The fans do not faze the runners, as they keep on going, concentrating hard on their next step.
Walking out of the stadium after the race, I realize this cross country meet is completely different than any high school track meet. The runners are not there to socialize; they are there to run. If they have a bad day, they don’t quit or throw a fit; they keep running. Their passion and dedication to running is amazing but, after all, it’s what their sport is all about.