The following is a synopsis of Bowdoin Park as related by former Coach Hoaglund. "Killer course. The first mile and a half is gradual uphill. Once you hit the peak it's a long winding downhill and then finishes with about 1000 flat meters. There's usually a strong wind coming off the Hudson. It might be nice in September, in November it's bone chilling. It's a real test. Runners must work hard to remain in good position during the first half of the race. It's tough to make up ground in the second half because everybody is really flying going downhill the whole way. Once the runner makes it back to the field where the race starts it becomes a track race. Racers will be running on fumes by then, but if they run through the pain and just continue to go hard, they can take some spots away from the weaker-willed kids."