On Sept 17 the cross country runners are going to race one of the most challenging courses in Missouri. The 5k (3.1miles) race at Sioux passage begins with a 400 meter climb to the top of Manmaker hill.

“This race is difficult because there is a big hill at the start and finish, senior Mack Weaver said. “Those are usually the parts where you usually run faster, but the hills make it harder.”

Early in the second mile you face the toughest midsection that the runners will experience all season. After running up Manmaker for the first time you cross a road and begin to climb toward a along the edge of a forest up a steep hill.

“I think this is a challenging course because it is very mental, sophomore Brandon Chac said. “It is more of a mental run because all of the hype of Manmaker.”

Once the race comes close to an end you have to charge up the Manmaker one last time. Following the hill the runners sprint through the down-hill shoot, and the race comes to an end.

“I like this race because FHN does so well because of all the hills we run at practice.” sophomore Brandon Chac said.

Because of the challenging course times often slow down by over a minute, even for elite runners.