Cross country regionals is the first cross country event I have ever experienced. You folk, who do not run cross country, would think, “it is just running, right?” And you would only be half right.

The thing about cross country meets is that everyone runs. The athletes brave the course that they have prepared months for. Their friends and family do as well. They run to different cross sections to catch their athlete for a split second. They do this to witness their endurance and give them a moment of support.

Even I had to run. The pictures for this story were taken with shaky hands and very heavy breathing. But the moments I got the honor of capturing were beyond beautiful. Coaches yell to their athletes to take bigger strides. The athletes push themselves to the limit in order to obey. Their parents flock to catch a glimpse of the magic.