Chain of Rocks 6k Team Feature: Blackburn College

We have 10 teams signed up for the inaugural Chain of Rocks 6k on Sunday, March 27th, 2022! Each week we will feature a different team. The beauty of the St. Louis running community is there are several clubs and teams you can be a part of. We are grateful for these organization’s support in our first year event. Today we highlight the Blackburn College Cross Country Team!

How long has the Blackburn College cross country team been around for?

We actually have an old document that shows cross country being introduced at Blackburn in 1895! But it didn't last long back then, and it came and went over the decades that followed. It was in the 1980s, and through the leadership of the women's team as I understand it, that the team truly took hold and has been competing ever since.

What are the requirements for running on the team?

We are an NCAA Division III program, and the NCAA requires its student-athletes to be full-time students in good academic standing. Beyond those basic requirements, what I require is for an athlete to be a good teammate and have a positive attitude, good work ethic, and desire to grow as an athlete and as a human being. Although our top five athletes produce our team score at meets, as many student-athletes as possible can join the team!

What makes the running community so special?

I think one thing that makes the running community so special is the very nature of the sport. Running is a unique sport that can be experienced both alone and together, making it an important metaphor for life. The running community appreciates exploring one's potential both through that inner voice as well as through the camaraderie of fellow travelers.