[Goose]

Let's just say that once upon a time in a far away galaxy I used to run XC. Hey, remember, our sport (XC) is your sports punishment!!

Secondly, my son was an avid XC runner and now runs XC in college, so I do have some insights into how things are run after quite literally chasing him around watching him compete.

At the basic meet level, from what I have seen here in Mass. they let a lot go. First of all, most meets are not really officiated by "officials". They are handled by coaches and or parents. You know, it is hard to officiate a 3.1 mile course that usually snakes through the woods. So, at the basic meet level, I have seen plenty of jewelry violations.

At state meets or large invitationals, it can be a different matter because there are actual race officials. Remember, some of these invitationals can have over 250 runners competiting at one time. There is no way to do an individual check of each runner. With that said, it should also be noted that much of the XC season unless you live in the south, is run when it is COLD! Here in Mass. it regularily snows during the sectional meets, and in fact, the western mass championship and the state meets were held at where else, but a Ski resort. Race day last year was a balmy 32 with a wind chill of about 10 and light snow.

Given the adverse conditions XC runners compete in, it is very common for runners to add items like spandex, hats, gloves, etc. Although these are not offical uniform items, they are allowed.

So for the most part, XC can be a pretty liberal event when it comes to clothing.

Lastly, what is the spirit and intent of the/a rule. In contact sports the removal of jewelry is important to prevent injury. In XC there is no worry about being injuried by jewelry. Most injuries occur from being spiked or elbowed, not from jewelry.

Is it a good rule to forbid all jewelry? I believe it is, but again, in many of these instances, I have seen a lot of leeway in what is and what is not allowed. If they were smart though, they would ban this stuff from this point on. Although I am a big Lance fan, the runners do not need to wear the bracelets while running.

I would also throw a cautionary flag here and simply say that quite possibly the coach from a defeated team might have tweeked the ear of a race official.

goose