Cross Country Courses

Palos Verdes operates a 2‑mile middle‑school course, famously used in the Palos Verdes Invitational, shorter than typical three‑mile races. The course includes fun features like hay‑bale hurdles and a creek crossing to challenge and engage young runners. It’s hosted adjacent to Palos Verdes High, near the Lunada Bay Little League complex.

This historic and challenging course at Mt. San Antonio College is used in the annual Mt. SAC Invitational, featuring divisions for elementary and middle school runners. The course begins with a flat, fast airstrip (the Valley Loop), followed by a short but very steep section referred to as the “poop‑out” hill, and a final steady climb along Reservoir Hill before a descent into Hilmer Lodge Stadium for the finish line.

Manhattan Beach Middle School meets take place on the school grounds and on the surrounding campus terrain. This school‑site meet with local structure offers relatively flat terrain rather than a formal cross‑country loop.

The Ridgecrest Intermediate School cross country course is a 2-mile route that begins with a lap around the school campus, incorporating internal paths and open areas. After completing the first lap, runners head off campus and then return to campus via a stairway, introducing an element of elevation. With a mix of terrain and landmarks, it offers young athletes a well-rounded challenge.