The self-sorting and defiance of reality among pliant pushers of ever-shifting pro-Nike, pro-cheating narratives in competitive running persists unabated
Although I am not in favor of banning high school cross country runners from wearing watches, I am in favor of ignoring times from cross country races. Too much emphasis is placed on times -- and particularly comparisons of times run on different courses. There is too much variability in the terrain, the conditions underfoot (even on the same course), and almost certainly the accuracy of measurement, for reasonable comparisons to be made. Road races courses can vary quite substantially but at least if they are certified the distances should be accurate, making them at least somewhat more comparable. I can tell you my PRs for most standard road race distances but wouldn't even hazard a guess as to my best time over a 12km cross country course (the distance I raced most often).
Although I am not in favor of banning high school cross country runners from wearing watches, I am in favor of ignoring times from cross country races. Too much emphasis is placed on times -- and particularly comparisons of times run on different courses. There is too much variability in the terrain, the conditions underfoot (even on the same course), and almost certainly the accuracy of measurement, for reasonable comparisons to be made. Road races courses can vary quite substantially but at least if they are certified the distances should be accurate, making them at least somewhat more comparable. I can tell you my PRs for most standard road race distances but wouldn't even hazard a guess as to my best time over a 12km cross country course (the distance I raced most often).