Great Hearts Academies Shine in the 2024 Desert Twilight Race

Great Hearts academies cross-country and track teams from across Arizona took part in the highly anticipated 18^th Annual Desert Twilight Meet at Toka Sticks Golf Course in Mesa, Arizona. This annual event has gained a reputation as a key mid-season competition, offering a fun nighttime racing experience for both athletes and spectators. With 19 different races, including the prestigious Sweepstakes and Team Championship events, the Desert Twilight drew competitors from all over Arizona and across the U.S., with Great Hearts athletes stepping up to the challenge.

The Desert Twilight is a favorite for many runners because of its unique atmosphere and its scale. “This event is one of the biggest ones on the west coast,” explained Jeremy Smith, the Middle School Cross-Country Coach at Trivium Prep. “It’s probably top six in the country for the number of runners. Over 6,000 runners in one night.” The large number of participants made it a standout event for cross-country athletes. “It’s wonderful to have our athletes be able to participate in an event like this,”

Runners usually enjoy the cooler night temperatures at this event, but despite the heat this year, the evening race provided an atmosphere that athletes and fans alike looked forward to. “The vibe is really nice. It’s really fun just running at night,” shared Daniel Anderson, a cross-country athlete from Glendale Prep. “The temperature is a little hot, which is annoying, but it’s always a lot better than running in the morning,” he noted with a smile.

Great Hearts academies brought their best, competing in the Small School Division, and many of their athletes had prepared rigorously for this major race. “I practice every day of the week and did hills, sprints, and just ran long distances,” shared Natalie Smith, a middle school runner from Trivium Prep. The effort paid off for Smith, who placed 19^th in the Middle School Women’s 1.6 Mile, competing against almost 200 runners in her division.

Two standout performers from Glendale Prep in the same race were Maycee Brady, who finished 5^th, and Taisley Janssen, who finished 8^th. Steven Whetstine, the Glendale Prep Middle School Cross Country and Track Coach presented both runners with Desert Twilight medals. “You had to be in the top 20 to get one of these awards,” said a Whetstine while presenting the medals at their base camp alongside the course.

The Desert Twilight is an opportunity for athletes to test their limits against some of the best. “It’s a fast 5k course. I think it’s the fastest of the year, so it’s nice to be able to PR (personal record) and run good,” added Anderson, as he and his teammates reflected on the opportunity to race in such a prestigious event.

With over 280 high schools and around 50 middle schools present, the race truly showcased a high level of talent. “The level of competition here is wonderful to see,” added Coach Smith. The races ramped up during the night, leading up to the bigger championship races where Great Hearts runners continued to shine with Guillermo Corona Carmona, a runner from Maryvale Prep, placed 17^th in the Men’s 5,000 Meters Championship

Great Hearts runners came and excelled in this mid-season event, gaining invaluable experience, and achieving impressive results. As the cross-country and track season continues, Great Hearts teams will carry the lessons and confidence gained from the Desert Twilight, ready to take on future goals and personal records with the same spirit of excellence.

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