RACES AT STATE XC MOVED UP

Because of a significant winter weather event moving through the Black Hills on Saturday, the South Dakota High School Activities Association has moved the races to earlier in the day. The Class B girls will now run at 9:30 a.m. MST (not 10 a.m.) with the Class B boys to follow at 10 a.m. The final race of the day, the Class A boys, is now scheduled to being at 2:30 p.m.

“This change is being done after consulting with the National Weather Service and our site hosts in Rapid City to attempt to complete the event prior to a significant winter storm entering the Black Hills region on Saturday,” John Krogstrand, SDHSAA Asst. Executive Director said in a press release to media outlets issued Wednesday. “Our hope is the earlier start and shortened times between races allows us to still complete the event while also maintaining social distancing guidelines and health precautions.”

The SDHSAA is also reminding spectators to take COVID-19 concerns seriously.

“To help with social distancing and mitigation efforts, the SDHSAA requests that all fans wear masks and remain socially distant from one another during the event as possible,” the press release stated. “Additionally, teams and school personnel will not be allowed to enter the facility until the previous class’ boys race has begun (i.e.: AA teams not entering until after the Class B Boys race begins). Fans and teams attending the event are asked to enter the Hart Ranch facility from the west (Highway 16/Mt. Rushmore Road) and depart the facility to the east (Highway 79).”

Highs in Rapid City are expected to be in the 30s on Saturday with a good chance of snow in the afternoon; wind and even colder temperatures are expected on Sunday.