From a western Canadian perspective England seems to be the place where Cross country is BIG - either started or was popularized in the mother country. I recently saw a forum post in a Canadian forum, where the question was brought up. Why are women still running shorter distances in cross?
On the roads and tracks the distance is the distance, pretty simple really.
Can you imagine the uproar if suddenly the IAAF said: Going forward the women's marathon shall be 20 miles (32k)!!
Anyway, upon seeing the question on that forum go unanswered, I quickly wrote a little satirical commentary for my column at Flotrack.org....thought perhaps the English would get a kick out of the knuckle draggers (US Collegiate) men who got angry about it...and conversely the women 'got it'....it is after all satire.
http://www.flotrack.org/articles/view/567-cross-country-respect-where-is-it
Thanks,
Christopher
Posted: 2008-09-25 19:42:42