The Nike Border Clash was an idea that came out of the eccentric minds of Josh Rowe and Johnny Truax. At the time, around 1998, the brain storm of those two then Nike employees gave rise to the battle for cross country supremacy in the great North West. Which state has the finest high school cross country runners, Washington or Oregon?
That question is answered on the weekend before Thanksgiving, on the campus of Nike in Bearverton, Oregon. The courses run from 4,000 meters to 4,600 meters, and on the cool, damp, (sometimes really damp), wood chip trail that plays an integral part in the course.
This is year nineteen of the Nike Border Clash. It is, singularly my favorite event to walk around each year, as the athletes, fans and those who work hard to make the event work, really enjoy the festivities.
Cross Country is a primal event of nature. Man has run for thousands of years. But cross country is not about running from Mammoths or sabre toothed Tigers, as our ancestors did, it is about taking on the challenges of Mother Nature and celebrating the pure act of running. In sloshing mud, cross country runners test themselves, over hill, through a small creek, down a crazy downhill, then, a long, maddening drive to the finish. Standing, exahusted, in the finish chute, the breath comes back, and stories come out as we begin that socializing that cross country brings, only after a race well run.
The Border Clash was always entertaining to observe. Following the runners around the course as they battle for cross country supremacy was always fun! The weather, perhaps some fog, then, some drizzle was a great way to enter Thanksgiving week.
The course is fine tuned each year, with some differentiation over the years. But what stays the same is the determination of the athletes to compete and show off their state’s talent.
Interviewing the Nike talent there is also fun. I have interviewed Galen Rupp and Jordan Hasay there, among others. At the end of their seasons, the Nike athletes are enjoying cheering on their teams on, the unique start of the race (with an old civil war era cannon).
And then, the interviews after the races. Each and every athlete has a story, and their love of cross country comes out.
It is an event that reminds us of the beginnings of Nike.
I remind people, that if they listen hard, the voice of the late Steve Prefontaine can be heard among the trees.
I sometimes dream of how Steve Prefontaine would sneak onto the campus, in a green Duck hoodie and gray sweat pants. His veggie burrito in hand, and a Jack Nicklaus ice tea in the other hand, Pre would pick a few runners out on the course, go up behind a tree and say to them, “are you giving it your best?”
On Saturday, November 18, the best cross country runners from Oregon and Washington will duel on the campus of Nike in the morning. Who will be the best cross country state in the Pacific Northwest?
We will just have to wait and see!
For more on the 2017 NIke Border Clash, please go to: www.Borderclash.com
