Cross-Country Race Out of Ordinary

The people who compete in Saturday’s Great American Adventure Run in Huntington Beach might be a little out of the ordinary.

And that’s almost a requirement, considering the race is a cross-country event at Central Park West.

“These people are extraordinary,” race director Oscar Rosales says of his competitors. “They want to experience something not of the ordinary. If it pours down rain, they don’t care. You’re smelling the nature of it all. They keep coming back.”

How does a cross-country event compare with a race in a more urban setting?

“There are very few cross-country runs around because it puts a little more stress on [runners],” he said. “You won’t run as fast, and it’s more difficult. It takes a special kind of person to want to accomplish more than running down the road.

This is the 13th year for the Huntington Beach event, which includes 2.8- and 4.8-mile runs. Walkers can compete in the 2.8-mile race, and there are prizes for “Eagle” runners who run both races. The race is seen as a warmup for a 7.57-mile race at Central Park West in May that Rosales also promotes.

Late registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. Saturday at the park, near the corner of Golden West Street and Ellis Avenue. The 2.8-mile race starts at 8 a.m., the 4.8-mile at 8:30. Cost is $19 or $23 to run in both races. Rosales expects about 300 runners.

For more information, call (714) 841-5417.

UPCOMING

* Los Alamitos 10K/5K. Feb. 22 in front of the city’s community center, 10911 Oak St. 5K starts at 8 a.m., 5K walk starts at 8:05 and 10K at 8:45. Cost is $17 before Feb. 14. For information, call (714) 827-9010.

* Spirit Run ’97. Feb. 23 at Edwards Cinema, Fashion Island, in Newport Beach. Events range from a one-mile run for kids to a 10K run. Benefits Harbor View, Roy O. Anderson and Lincoln elementary schools. Cost is $14 for seniors, $15 for kids younger than 12 and $17 for adults. For more information, call (714) 224-9899.

The Orange County Running Notebook appears regularly in the Orange County Edition. Reader suggestions are welcome. Call (714) 966-5858 or fax (714) 966-5663.