The reasons for moving the Flathead Invitational cross country meet from Kidsports Complex to Rebecca Farm, which is known as a world-class equestrian venue, were all positive according to Flathead coach Paul Jorgensen and Glacier coach Mike McLean.

First off, the entire race will be run on grass.

Secondly, runners will not have to contend with a dusty course.

And ...

There will be plenty of parking. At the complex, fans and school buses had to compete for parking spots with Little Guy Football and soccer.

“Kidsports was kind of dusty this time of year,” McLean said.

“That trail picks up the heat, so it’s a tough course. It was easy for the spectators to see (the race), but if you were a runner on a hot day, it was not your favorite place in the world.”

The invitational was originally held at Woodland Park. It was moved to Kidsports Complex in 2002.

Today’s action will begin with middle school boys at 10 a.m., followed by middle school girls at 10:30, junior varsity boys at 11, junior varsity girls at 11:30, varsity boys at 12:15 p.m. and varsity girls at 12:45.

The high school race is three miles. Middle schoolers will run 1.5 miles.

All races will be chip timed.

Thirty schools are expected with more than 700 athletes competing.

“It’s a beautiful setting,” Jorgensen said.

“They (Rebecca Farm) has been very accommodating. I hope it goes well and they won’t mind having us back next year.”

A scheduling conflict at Rebecca Farm last year prevented the invitational from being held there.

Jorgensen held his team’s time trials at Rebecca Farm back in August.

“They liked it,” he said of his runners.

“All on grass.”

He said it’s also an easier course than Kidsports, where runners had to contend with a challenging hill.

“Our second meet,” Jorgensen said of this event.

“We have a young team. We’re probably quite a ways from being in top form, but that’s normal. The kids are working real hard despite the heat, which has been horrendous. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a team that didn’t complain a whole lot, so I’m pretty fired up about this crew ... boys and girls.”

Jorgensen said FHS has one of its biggest turnouts ever with 33 boys and 24 girls.

McLean said his runners are anxious to compete.

“They are looking forward to some competition, they are ready to race,” he said.

“We’ll find out where we stand real quickly this weekend.”

McLean said his athletes will walk the course early today to get a better feel for the layout.

“We’re improving each week,” he said. “Many of the younger runners are getting experience. The older runners are getting in shape. The attitude is great this year.”

McLean said he has more than 30 runners on his roster.

“I”m happy with that,” he said.

“The group is working hard. That is all I can ask for.”

Glacier’s Troy Fraley was the individual invitational winner for boys last year with a time of 15 minutes, 10.26 seconds, which was a new course record. Fraley is running this fall for Gonzaga University.

Bigfork’s Makena Morley, a junior, has won the girls title at the invitational the last two years. Her winning time last fall was 17:47.87.

All times of winning athletes today will be course records.

Missoula Hellgate’s boys and girls are defending team champions.