PRville: How Parks & Recreation makes John Hunt Park a destination for cross-country runners

HUNTSVILLE — Ever been driving southbound on Memorial Parkway just past Airport Road? In the early hours of a weekend morning?

Have you noticed a horde of people rushing across a field of grass?

Don’t be alarmed. They are doing that on purpose.

That group of people are supporters, fans, friends and families of athletes and they’re crossing the John Hunt Park cross-country course to meet runners at the next clearing to cheer them on.

Located at the south end of the expansive 428-acre John Hunt Park is what was once a golf course. Since the start of its remodel in 2017, the area now includes an 18-hole disc golf course, a 4.1-mile mountain biking trail, accessible walking paths and a cross-country course that accommodates multiple race lengths and hosts major athletic events attracting teams from across the nation.

Huntsville Parks & Recreation’s John Hunt Park team is responsible for preparing and hosting these cross-country events and while they are an exceptional team of go-getters, these tasks are no easy feat.

Hosting a cross-country race sounds simple. After all, it’s just running through some grass, right? As it turns out, there’s much more to it than meets the eye.

The first stages of planning happen well in advance of each event. The standard start for planning championship-caliber events usually begins two to three years in advance. The Huntsville Sports Commission and the Huntsville/ Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau work with athletic departments and organizations to foster relationships and add events to the calendar. That’s when the John Hunt Park team gets to work.

“Working with the Parks & Recreation department and the John Hunt Park team is an easy win,” said Huntsville Sports Commission Executive Director Mark Russell. “We enjoy working with a team of great individuals who always get the job done.”

Alongside the sports commission and other event collaborators, the John Hunt Park team preps the course days in advance.

Preparation begins with planning and confirming race routes and thorough inspections of each course section. The John Hunt Park cross-country course includes 2-mile, 5K, 6K, 8K and 10K routes. One event may consist of any combination of the five routes.

After the inspections are complete, the city’s Landscape Management team takes care of grass maintenance and painting. It’s important to note that their dedicated teams are present at the course every day, consistently striving to maintain course standards.

In the days leading up to a race, the John Hunt Park team prepares for the excitement by prepping the field house for race officials, such as referees and timing professionals and media partners, such as ESPN. The team also works to set up the finish line, barricades and even ensures there are enough bottles of water for each runner.

“If we execute our plan and put in the work before race day, then our team is calmly completing tasks that must wait until that morning. The goal is for the team to be as prepared as possible and available to help wherever we are needed,” said John Hunt Park Supervisor Robert English. “Remaining calm and collected for our partners, sponsors, teams, fans and park patrons shows our preparedness and professionalism.”

Race day arrives. It’s 5:45 a.m. and the lights at the entrance of the course flip on.

“The first thing I do when I start work on race days is hit the lights at the 15-court championship sand volleyball complex to light up the entrance of the course,” said English. “Through my years of event operations, I know that setting the scene and building anticipation is an important part of high-level events. I want the coaches and runners to know they are entering a professional facility.”

Personal touches from a diligent and organized team help race days run smoothly. They establish dedicated two-way radio stations, designate areas for HEMSI and Huntsville Fire & Rescue to monitor and place medical ice stations in areas where an athlete may need assistance icing an injury. Organization plays a key role at events like these.

Runners stretch and line up at the start, supporters sit in anticipation and John Hunt Park team is doing what they do best: supporting athletes and spectators every step of the way.

The starter pistol fires and a John Hunt Park team member sets the pace for the runners by driving ahead of the runners’ course. Conveniently placed in the pacer’s vehicle, a media representative sits with their camera so viewers can see the race on the broadcast.

Moving along with runners at the middle of the pack before the tail vehicle is another team member whose job is to ensure they are there to help if any runner experiences a medical crisis and needs immediate attention. That person is usually English and he is equipped with an AED and an advanced safety pack.

“This is a long course,” said English. “I put myself in the shoes of parents and even coaches. If my athlete needs help, I’d want someone to be there as quickly as possible.”

There’s no doubt that this team is hardworking and resilient but after all is said and done, the process begins again.

There’s one last chance to see the action during the 2025 John Hunt Park cross country season. Stop by John Hunt Park Saturday to see an expected 2,500 runners from high schools across the nation compete at the 2025 New Balance RunningLane Cross Country Championships. View the schedule here.

“If you haven’t seen a cross-country race before, a race at John Hunt Park would be a great place to start,” said Parks & Recreation Director James Gossett. “This course is truly unique and we are proud to host so many great events.”

Thanks to the John Hunt Park team for going above and beyond to bring Huntsville cross-country sporting events to a new level.

Lucy Yarbrough is a Communication Specialist with Huntsville Parks & Recreation.