School Cross-Country: Design and Mark the Course

In groups, students design one section of the school cross-country course on a map using safety criteria, mark it on the ground, and other groups test it at a jog. It works on planning, safety in the environment and shared responsibility.

How to play

1. Criteria for a good course: wide start, no blind corners, no curbs or roots, clear markers and spectator areas kept separate (5 min).
2. Each group draws its section on the map and notes the risks they spot (8 min).
3. Go out and mark the section with cones and tape, with teacher supervision (12 min).
4. Each group jogs another group's section and writes down one improvement (12 min).
5. Adjust and jog the full course together (8 min).

Rules

• Nobody leaves the school's marked area.
• Tape is tied to cones, trees or fences, never at neck height.
• Sections are tested at a jog, not at race pace.
• Feedback is about the section, not the people in the group.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with visual impairments: test the section with a guide and judge whether ground references are clear.
• Wheelchair users: check the course for accessibility and propose an alternative route without steps.
• Students who'd rather not run that day: lead the map work and risk check.

Learning goals

• Design a route using safety criteria.
• Identify environmental hazards.
• Work as a team on a shared project.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 60
• marking tape rolls: 4
• school site maps: 6
• pencils: 6

Teacher tip

This doubles as prep for the school meet: the course they design can be the real one. Bring extra tape rolls; wind snaps it. Common mistake: tight turns right after the start; remind them 30 runners leave at once.

More activities like this

More main activities for High School