

Veterans Park Logistics
The map below shows the easy access to the course from the bus drop offs and plenty of free parking at Spain Park High School. The park has permanent rest rooms and concessions in the main pavilion, playgrounds for little ones, two fishing lakes, beach volleyball, a memorial to our Veterans, and a permanent 5K course marked every 200M. Add exhibits from our military and sponsors, some challenging competition, and even grandstand seating for those that want a more relaxed view of the racing. What more could you ask for?
Please note that Jaguar Dr. at Valleydale Rd. will be closed Saturday except to buses for drop off. This is to protect spectators for the races. For parking, enter Jaguar Dr. from Caldwell Mill Rd. and park at Spain Park High School. For previewing the course on Friday, you may drop off equipment and teams at the park entrance on Jaguar Dr. (tent city will be behind the Start and is very close to this entrance), but parking will be in the City Softball Field lot on Valleydale Rd. (the next left traveling east from Jaguar Dr. You can walk into and out of the park there (this will keep you out of school and ballgame traffic).

See the slide shows below to get a feel for how the course looks and "feels" on race day!
Course Description
The 5K course at Veteran’s Park on Valleydale
Rd. is deceivingly tough. What seems
like a relatively flat course has long gentle grades for much of the first 2400
meters. After exiting the tunnel the
first time, the roller coaster ride begins…. What seemed like insignificant
hills during the pre-race jog begin to take their toll on the unsuspecting
racers through the woods. The packs of
racers have spread way out by the time they head back through the tunnel for
the final 400 meters of the “survival of the fittest” journey to the finish
line. The picturesque and challenging
course leaves the racer wanting to race this course again – but most certainly
on another day!
Devon Hind
Course Records
High School Boys 5K
Bill Mathews 15:34.3 10/11/08
High School Girls 5K
Ashley Brasovan 17:05.6 10/13/07
College Men 5K
Barnabas Kirui 14:59.29 10/10/09
College Men 8K
Daniel Kirwa 24:30.44 10/24/08
College Women 5K
Lauren Blankenship 17:26.34 10/27/07
College Women 3K
Hillary Neal 10:19.89 10/10/09
Course History
High School Meets
Great American XC Festival 2006 - '08
Nike Team Nationals SE Regional 2007
Ala. High School Athletic Assoc. Sectional Qualifying Meet 2005 - '08
Hoover High School Invitational 2005 - '08
Spain Park High School Invitational 2005 - '08
USATF Ala. Assoc. State Championships 2005 - '07
College Meets
Great American XC Festival 2006 - '08
Gulf South Conf. Championships 2007 - '08
Samford Univ. Invitational 2007
Ohio Valley Conf. Championships 2007
Ala. Jr. College Championships 2006 - '07
Upcoming Meets
SE Cross Country Showdown (annually)
Hoover High School Invitational (annually)
Spain Park High School Invitational (annually)
Ala. High School Athletic Assoc. Sectional Qualifying Meet (annually)
Gulf South Conf. Championships 2009 - '11
USATF Ala. Assoc. State Championships 2009 - '10
USATF Jr. Olympics National XC Championships 2010
Logistics & Support for the Races
These photos show you the dedication and professionalism of City of Hoover to making sure your experience is first class!