To some, winning a Penn Relays Gold Watch is a goal just as, and even sometimes moreso important than winning a national championship.  Watches are awarded only to the overall American winners in Championship of America events at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, kicking off for the 118th time next Thursday at Franklin Field.  In some cases, most notably the sprints, it is harder to win a spot on the top of the medal stand than it is to win a national championship.  This fact is because of the international draw the relays bring to Philly; currently, there are 62 schools registered that are not from the United States, with Jamaica the most represented foreign country with 32 individual schools.  For some, winning a watch means beating the world. While the main events remain the short relays, specifically the 4x100m and 4x400m, the distance relays and open events are available on an invite basis.  And with the the high quality meet comes a high caliber field in each of the 4 invitational distance events.  We broke down the competition to help you see where the action may take place.

Ed Cheserek 13:57 NR 5000 meters, Ajee Wilson 2:04.13 800 meters, Watkins/Nadel take HS miles! Bernard Lagat highlights the Elite action with an American Record 13:07.15 for 5000 meters! (Photo by Kyle Brazeil)

Molly McNamara crossing the finish line 1st and securing her spot in Portland

Many top teams will see head-to-head action this weekend

      SO MANY QUESTIONS, SO LITTLE TIME!   THE 2010 XC SEASON TOES THE LINE IN ABOUT 2 DAYS. NJRUNNERS FINISHES UP IT'S  PREVIEWS TODAY & TOMORRROW. KEEP COMING BACK!

THE INTREPID XC "PANEL OF EXPERTS" TOES THE LINE FOR THE 5TH YEAR TO BRING YOU A WEEKLY SNAPSHOT OF THE STATE OF XC IN NEW JERSEY.  GIRLS PRESEASON WILL APPEAR SAT. 9/4.

  SEE WHO NEW JERSEY'S OWN MARC BLOOM HAS PICKED AS THE CREAM OF THE CROP  

Randolph / Toms River North Girls in Flatfooted Tie. Haddonfield Boys are Unanimous Pick After Bowdoin Triumph.   BOYS: Wk. 3         Last RANK TEAM VOTES 1ST PLACE Week 1 Haddonfield 80 8 1 2 CBA 71   2 3 Don Bosco 61   3 4 WW-P No. 59   4 5 WW-P So. 44   5 6 Ridge 33   7 7 TRN 29   6 8 Old Bridge 21   8 9 RBC 17   9 10 So. Reg. 7   NR Also Receiving Votes: Bridgewater-Raritan (5) Ridgewood (4) Cherokee,  East Brunswick (3) Westfield (2) Shawnee (1)    The Bulldogs of Haddonfield  went to Wappingers Falls, NY for the Bowdoin XC Classic on Saturday and came away with the 3rd fastest team time ever on the home course for the New York State Federation meet and the NXN Northeast Regional event. Behind Jon Vitez' convincing 15:42 win, Haddonfield scored 54 points for the victory. CBA, which remains at #2,  placed 3rd in the same race, scoring 67 points despite an under the weather Mike Mazzaccaro. Southern Regional makes a return to the Top Ten with a solid 4th place at Bowdoin.   Click Headline for Girls Rankings