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).
 

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 - '09
Hoover High School Invitational 2005 - '09
Spain Park High School Invitational 2005 - '09
USATF Ala. Assoc. State Championships 2005 - '09

College Meets
Great American XC Festival 2006 - '08
Gulf South Conf. Championships 2007 - '09
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 2010 - '11
USATF Ala. Assoc. State Championships 2010
USATF Region 6 Championships 2010
USATF Jr. Olympics National XC Championships 2010

Photo Gallery

The photos below were taken at several recent races and are in sequence to give you an idea what to expect from the time of your arrival in Hoover until you cross the finish line!

Before the Races