OpenTrack is back from Saturday’s World Cross, and are proud to be the first to reveal World Athletics’ bold new plans to rejuvenate the event.
The competition was scorching hot in EVERY sense, with brilliant sunshine and temperatures rising to 30°C by the end of the racing. Heaven for spectators, but as hot as hell for the athletes!
World Athletics spokesman explains..
“We have decided to reward Serbia for their impeccable organisation, and after what is bound to be another warm location in Tallahassee next year, we will be bringing the World Cross back to Belgrade for the next 5 years. However, we must recognize that global warming is here to stay, and work with it rather than against it, so we are making some crucial adaptations to create the perfect permanent venue, at the same time as repackaging the sport for a modern TV audience. Think Baywatch meets Night of the 10,000m PBs..
The infield of the course will be converted into an 800m-long urban lake, filled sustainably from the Danube, with five metres of sandy beach surrounding it. The wooden bridges which provide hills on the course will be doubled in height, allowing spectators to pass freely underneath into the huge infield area, allowing them an unparalleled view right in the middle of the action.
Spectators will be free to swim or sunbathe, enjoy local snacks such as ćevapi, or sample the local Rakija and beer from numerous beach bars just yards from the course edge, as the world’s top athletes hurtle around them on all sides.
Spectators have been complaining that the only music on offer is the Kenyan national anthem, so we plan to borrow an innovation from Highgate. Athletes and teams will nominate a favourite song on entry, and when they hit the front, their soundtracks will be played, adding even more to the beach party vibe.
Athlete safety is of course a paramount concern, and a small number were unable to complete the course in the high temperatures. We have therefore decided to include a full “water splash” on each lap, with the option of either an enlarged steeplechase water jump, or a longer “wade” through a stream. In addition, a beach section one metre after the finish line will provide emergency cooling to all finishers, as well as great pictures.
With these innovations, we expect the World Cross to become one of the most glamorous spectator events in the global calendar.
Rumours of an infinity pool being installed in the VIP tent this year are entirely unfounded.”