Cross country runners start their evening run at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Thursday.The group meets three days per week at ABAC for these non-mandatory sessions.

TIFTON — Tift County still has a several weeks to go before the cross country season begins, but for many local runners summertime is practice time.

Under the watchful eye of high school coaches Mike Beeman and Kristin McElroy and middle school coach, Laural Mullen, the athletes have been busily preparing for the upcoming schedule.

These summer running sessions take place three days per week at the Red Hill Athletic Center at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Runners currently meet at 7 p.m., but the coaches are considering pushing the time up to 6:30 p.m.

The weather has been typical South Georgia fare.

“It’s been a warm and gnatty summer,” said Beeman.

He said a group of approximately 30-40 have been participating. Everyone is invited to run, said McElroy, be it kids or adults. The sessions are not mandatory, but the coaches are hopeful those not attending are running elsewhere. Beeman recommends five miles per day.

Once official practice starts, Beeman said the goal changes.

“When we practice,” he said, the aim is “not to get in shape, but to get better.”

The first meet of the season, Run for Love, is in early August. The team’s big fundraiser for the year, it will again be at ABAC, with a one-mile fun run and a 5K. The route for the former will be the same but because of construction, there will be a slight change for the 5K.

Both coaches are optimistic about the upcoming season.

McElroy insists she does not want to jinx herself, but likes her team’s chances in Region 1-AAAAAAA, a title the Lady Devils won a year ago. They advanced to state with a fourth place finish at area.

Emily Golden was second at the area meet in 2017 and Katie McMillan was 13th. Both return. McElroy will also be boosted by a strong group of freshmen, which include Ainsley Toews and Alexandria Vaughan.

“I’m excited by Kristin’s team,” said Beeman.

Beeman is also looking towards a good season.

“We have a lot coming back,” he said. Out of the team’s top seven runners, six could potentially return. “I’m excited by the possibility,” Beeman said.

The Devils went to state last year after a sixth place finish at area.