Thea Digiammerino

CIAC Cross Country Meet Rescheduled Due to Weather

The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference cross country meet at Wickham Park in Manchester was rescheduled for Friday as the threat of a weekend nor’easter looms. The CIAC made the decision on Wednesday.

"It was kind of stressful because changing your work schedule and everything, so there won’t be as many parents cheering the kids on because they can’t get off of work," Karin Arai, whose son is competing, said.

"I cannot miss my son’s last meet," Criag Zdun of Bristol said. "He’s a senior in high school and he’s done well this year and academically he has been great. This is my job to support him."

This is the 37th year the park has hosted the divisional championship. Park officials said they have been working long hours the last couple of days to get the course ready.

"It’s the wettest I’ve seen it in the 40 years I’ve been here, so that creates a problem with the runners," Park Director Jeff Maron explained. "We did everything we could. We put down wood chips. We put down stone in different areas to prep the course."

Some parents said while the last minute change left them scrambling, safety is the most important rule.

"Everybody was really accommodating and they know really it’s for the best and their safety," Arai said.

"Beautiful call because if you’ve ever been on this course when it’s wet, it’s a mess," said Zdun.

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