Six schools competed in the Gorge to Beach Experience hosted by the Tallulah Falls School cross-country team on Tuesday, August 22. White County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Johnson, Westminster Christian Academy, and TFS participated.
The event included a 3K race, a friendly run at Tallulah Gorge, and a swim at Tallulah Beach. All the teams enjoyed pizza and popsicles together at the end.
TFS Athletic Director and cross country coach Scott Neal believes in pushing his runners beyond performance. He focuses on being mission-driven by developing great character, competence, and competitiveness, hosting great events, and creating a season of significance.
Neal provides different opportunities and roles for the team to learn how to host and coordinate great events and build leadership.
“Students see beyond themselves and past their immediate community – they become global citizens. They reach out to those they compete against,” said Neal. “We compete, and then we collaborate. We join forces and develop relationships.”
TFS cross-country team member junior Timothy Beck of Clayton spearheaded the event.
“I wanted it to be unique – to have it be that we were cross country runners, not cross country teams. I hoped to achieve a more intimate level of communication with other teams – where we are more allies and friends than competitors.”
Teams expressed that this event is the highlight of their year. It is the first time some runners have seen the gorge.
“They are excited to meet new people and explore the outdoors,” said Beck. “We learn we have much more in common than we realize. It feels good to be a part of giving people the opportunity to create connections.”
Senior and captain Jackson Shadburn of Cornelia enjoyed the fellowship with other teams.
“The event is fun, and it makes it easy to hang out and get to know people on the other teams that we would normally not get to know.”
The team will host approximately 500 harriers from nearly 20 schools at their next home event on September 5 at the annual Cookies and Quotes Cross Country Festival.
