Cross Country Season Brings Strong Finishes for ISG Jubail

The Cross Country season at ISG Jubail was filled with steady progress, team spirit and memorable moments across every race. From early practices to the final meet, student-athletes brought determination and care for one another to every training run, proving that cross country is as much about community as it is about competition.

Across divisions, ISG Jubail runners finished the season with impressive results. In the U14 girls category, one athlete earned third place. The U16 girls division saw another strong finish with a second-place medal. In the U19 boys division, one athlete placed sixth, while the U19 girls delivered an especially strong set of finishes with second, fourth and fifth place.

For many athletes, the season’s biggest wins were found in the experiences they shared along the way. One U19 athlete reflected on how meaningful the season felt, both on and off the course.

“Cross Country was truly such a memorable and fun experience. Mrs. Jamie was a great coach who really pushed us to work our hardest and made running enjoyable,” the student said. “The whole team also worked so well together, especially when it came to helping each other improve and cheering everyone on.”

Races took athletes across different courses, including a scenic meet in Ras Tanura where runners competed alongside the seaside. The U19 athlete described how the environment made the experience feel even more special, especially near the finish line.

“Our race was in Ras Tanura, where we ran by the seaside, which was really scenic,” the student said. “One thing that was especially nice was the last half a kilometer before finishing. There were so many people cheering and encouraging you, and it created such a friendly environment. Overall, it was a great season and I’m really thankful for everyone I got to experience it with.”

Coach reflections echoed the same theme, emphasizing growth and connection as the heart of the season. The coach highlighted how quickly the team developed through focused practices, consistent effort and time spent building relationships.

“Our team learned so much and came such a long way in our short season,” the coach said. “We worked hard together on speed, endurance and coordination drills. Team dinners gave us an opportunity to relax and spend time. Cheering for each other at meets was a season highlight.”

The coach also described the final race in Udhailiyah as a moment that captured the season’s hard work and resilience.

“It was amazing to see our runners working their way up the hot, dusty, sun-scorched trail at Udhailiyah in our final race,” the coach said. “That was when all those long afternoons and independent long-runs really came into play. It was an honor to get to know these kids and to see how much they improved, but more importantly, the relationships they had with each other and the support they gave.”

Younger athletes also spoke proudly about their personal progress. One U14 runner shared that the season pushed her, helped her grow and gave her confidence for the future.

“Cross Country challenged me a lot, but it was such an amazing experience and I improved so much since last year,” she said. “It was so fun to run in Ras Tanura and in Udhailiyah and try out all the different courses and the other athletes were also really supportive and really fast! I love running and I hope I can get 1st place next year!”

When asked what she felt she improved on most, she pointed to both fitness and performance.

“My endurance has improved a lot and I’ve gotten a lot faster,” she said. “I also placed 2nd this year, which is a big improvement from 5th place last year!”

As the season comes to a close, ISG Jubail celebrates every athlete who trained, competed and supported their teammates through each step of the journey. From the energy of the crowds to the challenge of the trails, the cross country team built something lasting, a season defined by growth, hard work and a community that ran together.