The Central Park Invitational, also known as CPI, began back in 1981 under the direction of then-Coach Bill Thompson of Fountain Valley High School.
This elite high school cross country running event is held annually in Huntington Beach Central Park.
The 42nd Annual CPI was held this year on Saturday Sept. 30.
Originally the participants were the six Sunset League teams, but the event has now grown to include more than 100 schools from California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii.
The runners enjoy the excitement and challenge of a 3-mile course that includes grass, dirt, asphalt, hills, and a loop around a lake.
Though CPI was once timed by a stopwatch, it has transitioned into digital timing with accuracy to the 10th of a second. The day begins promptly at 8 a.m. with an open race for inspired athletes and running clubs.
The next 16 races are broken down into various classifications, including large and small schools with divisions for boys and girls varsity, junior varsity, sophomore and freshman teams.
At the finish line, runners are treated to fresh filtered water donated by the Fountain Valley Police Officers Association. The top athletes are awarded Surf City-themed and numbered medals while the top three teams in every race earn a Central Park Invitational-engraved bamboo surfboard award.
The event is hosted by the Fountain Valley High School Cross Country/ Track and Field Boosters. Revenue from the event is used to support the cross country and track and field teams at FVHS.
Photo by ANDREW HSIEH / Fountain Valley High School