Saturday, September 9, was a beautiful day at St. Louis' Forest Park XC Festival. Forest Park, one of the best municipal parks in the country, is the site of the annual event. This year marked the 18th edition of the event and standout and thrilling performances and battles were on display most of the day.
2023 Forest Park XC Festival
Results
Boys Photos
Video
With starter pistol and bullhorn in tow, official, longtime University City High School coach, and Missouri Track and Cross Country Association Hall of Fame member Charlie Beck heads down the starting stretch after giving instructions to the field before the start of the Junior Varsity Boys Green Division 5k race at the 2023 Forest Park XC Festival.
At the top and immediately above, official Craig Kammien shoots his starter pistol to start the Junior Varsity Boys Green Division race at the 2023 Forest Park XC Festival.
Retired longtime St. Louis University High coach Jim Linares (left), rides in the lead vehicle at the Forest Park XC Festival. The Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame Inductee rides with bullhorn ready as girls in the Varsity Girls Green 5k race up a hill shortly before the mile mark.
Small School Strong, Big School Beaters
Brock Hobeck of Class 1 Oak Ridge races to a 10th-place finish in the Varsity Boys White Race at the Forest Park XC Festival to lead Oak Ridge to a 5th-place team finish ahead of plenty of other larger Class 3, 4, and 5 schools in the 16-team field. The Blue Jays are seeking a 3rd straight state trophy, a 4th in 5 years, and a fifth consecutive top-5 state finish in 2023.
Get to the Finish!
Boys sprint to the finish in the Varsity Boys White 5k at the 2023 Forest Park XC Festival.