Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Workers communicate during a previous state cross country meet at Lakeside Golf Course inside Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge.

The crown jewel of Fort Dodge championship hospitality has always been the state softball tournament, now 53 years and nearly one million all-time spectators strong.

What many people may not know is that next year will mark our community’s 30th anniversary of hosting the co-ed state cross country meet.

Thousands of fans visit Lakeside Golf Course at Kennedy Park annually. Action this weekend will include over 1,000 boys and girls runners from across Iowa in Classes 1A-2A (Friday) and 3A-4A (Saturday).

The event in 2022 will assuredly run as a well-oiled machine yet again, thanks to the cooperation and partnership of the Iowa High School Athletic Association, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, the city of Fort Dodge, the Fort Dodge Senior High and St. Edmond athletic departments, and the countless workers and volunteers who help tie it all together behind the scenes. It’s a far cry from 1993, when we were merely a test case for officials trying to find a new home for Iowa’s feature race in the fall.

“Dave Harty, (Iowa High School Athletic Association executive director) Bernie Saggau’s assistant, called from Boone and asked if we’d be interested in hosting state cross country,” said Don Miller, FDSH’s athletic director at the time. “I think my response was, ‘sure, why not? What the heck do we have to lose?’ There was probably some (naivete) in saying that, but I knew we’d work hard for them here to put on a first-class competition.

“We had to get about 250 volunteers for jobs on and around the course, line up parking, concessions, talk to the National Guard for a tent, the hospital for an emergency vehicle…for the first few years, I kept a notebook on everything. We learned a lot of lessons along the way; it was stressful at first, but we got it figured out because we took pride in being the host. I know we still do to this day.”

Miller was AD for the first nine co-ed state meets. He admitted he knew “very little” about elite-level cross country at first, but “I became a quick study and really appreciated the sport, its athletes and fans” in those early seasons.

“We had some people who were deeply passionate about it helping out with specifics, and some who were just wanting to help in any way they could,” Miller said. “It was a one-day event at the time (staying that way until recently), and for many years, we were the only co-ed (state competition). So we were trying to get everyone on the same page at the same time from a lot of different points of view.

“I know there were estimates of over 4,000 fans (annually) in the 90s into the early-2000s. I’m sure it’s still close to that to this day.”

Fort Dodge became a location target when IGHSAU officials visited during the summer months for state softball.

“They’d play golf at Lakeside and comment on how natural the environment and layout was there for a big-time cross country meet,” Miller said. “It’s always been very fan friendly and a good setup for the runners.”

Dave Anderson of the IHSAA and John Overton of the IGHSAU met with Miller and Fort Dodge city officials to discuss specifics before the initial 1993 launch.

“We all got in golf carts and drove the course for over an hour,” Miller said. “We mapped out everything for both the runners and spectators. We discussed parking areas for the general public and the teams.

“A lot went into the planning and organizing. Dave was a former runner himself, and John was always great to work with, whether it was for state softball, cross country or swimming (when Fort Dodge hosted that as well).”

Miller also lauded early the efforts of Dan Payne and the Fort Dodge Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as the entire Fort Dodge Parks and Recreation staff and the crew at Lakeside.

“There is no secret formula to being a good host — and there are no short cuts, either,” Miller said. “You treat people right and make sure they feel valued. You get good volunteers. You find little ways to make it your own and help build tradition.

“It’s a collective effort. It was that way 30 years ago, and still is to this day. It’s about showing respect and appreciation for everyone who comes and wants their state experience to be a positive one. This is great for Fort Dodge. Knowing that we’re still having this conversation almost 30 years later…it’s a huge blessing for us that we’re still able to host Iowa’s best cross country runners and programs at the end of every season.”

I often emphasize the importance of never taking state softball for granted. It’s incumbent on us roll out the welcome mats in our own individual ways each and every July.

This is no different. Very few communities have the opportunity to host a state event. Our people still, ultimately, will make the difference.

Extend a helping hand with a gracious attitude on Friday and Saturday. Find a way to make the state cross country contingent feel right at home. A little extra effort goes a long way in maintaining one of Iowa’s great running traditions.

Eric Pratt is Sports Editor at The Messenger. Contact him via email at sports@messengernews.net, or on Twitter @ByEricPratt