Any kid who has the tenacity and stamina to put on a pair of good sneakers and become a long-distance runner deserves a pat on the back – and a keg of Gatorade.

Too often the major high school sports like baseball, basketball and football receive more attention and overshadow cross-country and track-and-field athletes.

For many of us who wore 15 pounds of football equipment, the idea of running long distances was just too far out of the way. Sure, running can be hard on the body, but so is getting hit by a 300-pound lineman.

But let’s not forget that this an endurance sport where each runner is on his own. Individual performances on the course really matter when it comes to scoring each meet.

If you enjoy the great outdoors and watching nearly 400 athletes from around Maine strut their stuff in an apple orchard on a chilly autumn afternoon, check out the Mt. Blue High School Relays this Friday.

Mt. Blue boys’ and girls’ cross country coach Kelley Cullenburg is expecting 16 teams, including Spruce Mountain, to show up for the Cougars’ version of the Goodwill Games.

There will be music and a great deal of camaraderie just across the street from the high school.

“I think It comes at a great time. Most schools have just competed at the Festival of Champions… where participants covered a 5K course. Next week is the league championship meet where all of the schools are participating,” Cullenburg said. “So the nature of this meet is that it is a five-person relay team and five people score.

“So it kind of makes it unique and each leg of the meet covers over two miles so the relay team is a little over 10 miles. Everybody runs. It is a shorter distance, so it lets them work on their leg speed for the upcoming next week and the weeks to follow — and it a great team event.

“Everybody can participate regardless of whether on not their school has a multiple of five in terms of participants. We have co-ed teams for those that can’t field a five-person, single-sex team. Those teams are non-scoring teams, but they get the ability to participate and share in the spirit of the meet.”

Wait, there’s more about this unique competition.

Parents and coaches can also get into the act and are encouraged to compete in the event. Alumni are invited to run as non-scoring teams.

This tradition has been going for decades and it really is an opportunity to have fun, showcase talent from around the state as well as prepare athletes for upcoming competitions.

And there is a spaghetti dinner for the athletes after the meet.

While the meet doesn’t count in the league standings, it really is about the spirit of the competition. Results will be computed, awards will be handed out and athletes will be recognized for their efforts.

“I just love seeing the athletes being competitive but having fun. Everyone gets a chance to participate,” Cullenberg said. “It is just a very festive atmosphere. We have music playing. I love the competitive spirit of it and I l love the camaraderie.”

Obviously, many of the cross country teams feel the same way.

Tony Blasi is the sports editor for the Franklin Journal and the Livermore Falls Advertiser. His stories also appear in the Lewiston Sun Journal. His email is [email protected].