In many sports, home-field advantage is mostly a psychological factor, bringing only slight variations in field surface, crowd noise, or location. In cross-country, though, having a difficult home course that every other team fears can easily change the outcome of a race or an entire season. The men's cross-country team possesses such a home course - one that is regarded as among of the most challenging in New England - in Grafton, Massachusetts.
After years of planning, cross-country coach Connie Putnam opened the Grafton course in the fall of 1997. For the first time since the 1940's, Tufts actually had a certified course to call its own. Every aspect of the course was meticulously planned out, and the end result was a course both challenging to the runners and enjoyable to the many spectators.
Located about 45 miles west of Boston on the Tufts' Veterinary School campus, the immaculate five-mile course sets the standard for collegiate racing. The open path is primarily set through rolling hills in large fields in a rural environment and consists of a few different loops.
"This is really a perfect spectator course," senior Adrian Wilairat said. "Since the course is so open you can see all of the competitors."
There is also one extremely steep hill and a wooded section, which add even more adversity to the run.
In its brief three-year history, the course has been home to numerous races, including two ECAC championships. Voted on by a panel of coaches, the course was deemed ideal for this large-scale race. While the coaches agree that this may be the best course, the actual runners have slightly different sentiments.
"It's an awesome course, but very tough. It will break you," Wilairat said. "Most coaches are actually scared to run their teams there."
Avoiding the Grafton course will be impossible for most coaches and runners in New England, though, since Tufts will be hosting four races this fall, including the ECAC Championships for the third consecutive year. This Saturday, the Jumbos' racing season will begin on their home course at the Hayseed Classic race, which features many of Tufts' close rivals.
For many young runners, this will be their first taste of collegiate level racing, and they will have quite a course to begin with.
"With a course that is this hilly and unpredictable, you really need to run it more than once to learn how to run it well," junior Jason Mann said.
The Jumbo squad has had the luxury of practicing at Grafton at least once a week (usually Mondays) and realizes that it takes a lot to win on this course.
"Because of all the hills, strategy and toughness are needed to win at Grafton," Wilairat said.
It is likely no coincidence, then, that the Jumbos have enjoyed the greatest success in school history since the inception of their home course.
