Brooks to sponsor Balboa Park cross country championship following Foot Locker’s departure

A week ago, San Diego cross country fans were mourning what appeared to be the loss of a high school national championship after Foot Locker withdrew as sponsor of the meet held mostly at Balboa Park for 47 years.

It only took a week for that gap to be filled.

San Diego will host the Brooks XC Championships presented by Fleet Feet over 5K on Saturday, Dec. 13.

A spokesman for Brooks said the Seattle company immediately saw the benefit of sponsoring a meet that features four regionals nationwide to qualify 40 runners.

“We host the premier track meet in the spring and it’s important to us to offer the quality experience for cross country runners,” said Alaina Fuld of Brooks. “We have a multi-year deal and are working with Fleet Feet. We want to continue to offer a unique opportunity.”

Former Foot Locker champion Julia Stamps was part of a large swath of people who helped resurrect the event.

“There was an immediate national reaction, especially among former runners who competed in the nationals,” said Stamps, the 1994 titlist. “We’re like family. This event is different from any other, matching the toughest of the toughest on a real cross country course.

“For the first year it’ll still be four regions for qualifying 10 each but with 50 runners at the starting line that will include 10 Golden Tickets. We’re working on the details of who gets those 10 Golden Tickets.

“Additionally, the four regionals will now be named championships.”

Valley Center High School’s Mike Cummings, the meet director for the past 26 years, said he and his crew are ready to roll.

“We were happy we were able to pull it off and, as usual, we will do whatever needs to be done,” he said.