Running long distance in the summer heat has readied over 30 DeKalb middle schoolers for the heat of competition when cross country season begins in just over a week.

“We begin with the Cookeville Jam on Aug. 9,” said Middle School Cross Country Coach Kristin VanVranken of their first taste of competition this season, following a long summer of near daily runs in the often oppressive humidity. “Cookeville will give us an opportunity to have a good run in going into the season.”

Their first regular competition is on Aug. 18 but VanVranken said the main part of the season, both home and away, is still to come.

“We really turn it on in September,” she said of the meets scheduled for the season.

Unlike the high school cross country team which runs 5K, middle school runs two miles in its competition. The squad is made up of students, grades five through eight and is pulled from the various area middle schools including DeKalb Middle, DeKalb West and Northside.

VanVranken said the practice during the summer months helps build stamina for when the heat of competition is on, helping runners cut their times.

The cross country team has 35 runners participating this season.