2020 Twilights Last Gleaming Cross Country Challenge

Report by: Michael Berger

This Saturday was the 36th Annual Edition of the Twilight's Last Gleaming Cross-Country Challenge. This year, the race was also the USATF Southern California Cross-Country Championship Race.

I am proud and happy to report that Track Club LA won the men’s open cross-country championship! The members of the winning team, in order of how fast they ran, are Brian Daneshgar (7th Overall and 1st in his AG), Noel Velasco (11th Overall, 3rd in his AG), Brian Panosian (1st in his AG), Tom Case and me. Tom and I planned on competing in our own AG, but dropped down to the open division to complete our men's open team.

TCLA women did not have enough to make a team, but each TCLA woman ran an outstanding race.

First woman for TCLA was Wendy Yip, Wendy finished more than one minute ahead of Tanya Lerch of The Janes and was second in her AG. For her outstanding performance in both series, I hereby award her this vintage TCLA ladies' shirt.

Second woman for TCLA was Jill David. Jill ran a great race, but she was the only club member that did not have a club singlet. I am going to fix that now. Jill can't be here tonight because, like Brian Panosian, she is watching the Dodgers game. Accepting this shirt on her behalf is my friend and teammate Tom Case, the man that recruited Jill to do this race with us.

Third and Final woman for the club was returning veteran Ellen Reiner. Ellen started slow, running the first uphill mile with me. She then turned up the wick and ended up getting first in her AG and setting a new course record in her AG!

Earlier today I spoke with race director and cross-country chairman Andrew Hecker, confirmed the TCLA win and learned that this year, for the first time, the TCLA Championship plaque will be engraved with the names of our winning team members.

I hope that all of this inspires you to join me and your fellow track club members in next year’s races. It's exciting, fun and good for you. It's fun to root for the Lakers and the Dodgers. You can cheer for them, but you can't play for them. TCLA is your team. Participate!