Sponsored by Nike and The Running Company of South Jersey, the Cross Country Cherokee Challenge is a race held each year at Cherokee High School. In the race’s 21st year on Saturday, Sept. 10, Moorestown High School senior Kevin Fox earned the title of “fastest time of the day” among the boys.
“It felt satisfying knowing that all my training is starting to pay off. Also relieving to know the burden of winning my first race is off my shoulders,” Fox said.
Despite record-breaking heat and humidity, Fox was able to finish the race in just 10 minutes and two seconds. He beat second-place finisher Mark Miller of Shawnee High School by two seconds and third-place finisher Nicholas Falk of Cherokee High School by six seconds.
“The heat hurt my time for sure. If it was any cooler, I would’ve liked to run about 20 or so seconds faster. I think the heat gave me an advantage during the race by making the race more of a mental challenge,” Fox said. “I don’t have the leg strength that some of the top runners have, and so I have to pride myself on beating everyone mentally, which includes blocking out the heat and the cramps.”
The overall competition, consisting of shorter racing distances, class scoring and unique co-ed team scoring, hosted more than 100 teams from four states and more than 2,500 athletes. Fox said he knew whoever won the senior race would have the fastest time of the day, providing him with more focus to win.
“The Cherokee Challenge, being my first big win, was definitely an achievement that I have been striving for,” Fox said. “I was extremely nervous before the race. I understood that this was the perfect opportunity for me since it was only a two-mile course.”
Over the summer Fox swam to stay in shape for running and rode his bike to the high school every morning to train with his team. He also increased his miles gradually to about 50 miles per week, working to stay healthy through stretching and freezing ice baths.
Highlights from Fox’s cross country career at Moorestown High School thus far have included winning divisions as a team his sophomore year, and running his best race at the state competition that same year at a challenging Holmdel Park. So far, his fastest 5k time in high school has been clocked at 16 minutes and 38 seconds.
“I love that cross country lets me express the talents that I’ve been blessed with,” Fox said. “I love the fact that the sport challenges you mentally and makes you want to quit.”
As for the rest of the season, Fox’s goals include winning a team division championship and team sectional championship. He plans to continue running in college, and is considering attending Notre Dame, Georgetown, Villanova or Mount Saint Mary’s, with his sights set on someday winning a team national championship.
