Mini Cross-Country Obstacle Loop

Continuous running on a loop of about 100 m with soft obstacles, such as mat hills, a bench to walk across, and low hurdles, where each completed lap adds a clothespin for the team. Students build endurance, find their own pace, and clear obstacles without stopping.

How to play

1. Set up a loop of about 100 m with cones: a hill made of two stacked mats, a gym bench to walk across, three low hurdles, and a zigzag section (4 min).
2. Form 4 teams of 6 with a color each; each team has a rope hanging at the start where the clothespins are clipped (1 min).
3. First lap walking together to learn the course and each obstacle (2 min).
4. 4-minute race: each student runs at their own pace and, every time they pass the start, takes a clothespin from a box and clips it on their team's rope (4 min).
5. 2-minute walking and water break, then a second 4-minute race trying to match or beat the laps from the first one (6 min).
6. Count each team's clothespins; points go to the team with the most laps and to the team that improved the most in the second race (3 min).

Rules

• Walk across the bench one at a time with no passing.
• Pass only on the left and call out first.
• Everyone runs at their own pace: walking for a bit is fine, but no stopping.
• Take only one clothespin per lap.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with limited mobility: use a marked detour that avoids the bench and hurdles; each of their laps counts the same.
• Autism: post a drawn map of the loop at the start and give a one-minute warning before the end.
• Fitness or skill level: students who need a break can walk one lap without losing their clothespin; stronger runners may run one lap holding a partner's hand.

Learning goals

• Keep running continuously for several minutes.
• Clear low obstacles without stopping.
• Pace themselves to improve from one race to the next.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 20
• mats: 2
• gym bench: 1
• low hurdles: 3
• clothespins: 150

Teacher tip

Put the bench where runners naturally slow down, not at the end of a straightaway. Make sure the fastest kids do not leap off the mat hill: they run up and run down.

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