Bristol, Tennessee, September 29, 2025
News Summary
The 33rd Annual Bristol Cross saw thrilling performances from Max Craig and Mariah Reed, capturing victories in the boys and girls races respectively. Craig finished first with a time of 16:05.7, outpacing second-place Keyston Hartford. Reed led the girls’ competition, winning with a time of 19:23.4, contributing to Christiansburg’s team title. Both races showcased the intense competition and racing strategies, particularly on the challenging hilly course.
Bristol, Tennessee – In a thrilling finish at the 33rd Annual Bristol Cross on Saturday morning, Max Craig from Christiansburg secured victory in the boys race with a time of 16:05.7. Craig pulled away in the final 400 meters, overcoming Keyston Hartford from Grundy High School, who finished second with a time of 16:10.9. Hartford is the defending VHSL Class 1 state cross country champion, having won the state championship at Virginia Tech last November, marking Grundy’s first-ever male state cross country title.
Hartford expressed satisfaction with his race despite his desire to win, attributing his successful performance to effective hill climbing strategies. The pressure has increased for Hartford this season due to expectations to replicate his previous success. Throughout his career, he has celebrated several significant wins, including first-place finishes at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Oxbow Lake, and Enoch’s Branch, and placed fifth at the Knights Crossing meet in Salem, Virginia. Additionally, he secured a state title in the 3,200-meter run in May.
Alongside Craig and Hartford, other notable finishers in the boys race included Calvin Wilbon from Eastern Montgomery in third with a time of 16:12.3, Fisher Battel from Daniel Boone in fourth at 16:17.3, and David Eaton from Fork Union placing fifth with a time of 16:41.9. Andrew Sells of Tennessee High also performed well, finishing ninth at 16:56.5, while Drake Young from Tazewell came in 14th with a time of 17:05.8.
Craig executed a measured race strategy, beginning conservatively and building momentum for the final sprint. He emphasized patience and effectively navigating the challenging hills presented by the course.
In the girls race, Mariah Reed from Christiansburg claimed victory with a winning time of 19:23.4. Her success was supported by training alongside teammates, contributing to a strong overall performance for the team. Christiansburg clinched the team title, scoring 51 points, aided by notable finishes from Riley in sixth place with a time of 21:06.1 and Kaylin Larimer in ninth at 21:14. Jenna Reecher of Tennessee High also showcased her strength by finishing fifth among girls with a time of 21:02.1.
The top finishes in the girls race included Ryan Belt from Providence Academy in second at 19:48.2, Sadie Honeycutt from Daniel Boone in third at 20:15.5, and Cora Mosby from Radford in fourth with a time of 20:44.5. Dobyns-Bennett and Daniel Boone followed Christiansburg in the team standings, scoring 103 and 112 points respectively.
The Bristol Cross course featured demanding hills that challenged runners throughout the event, highlighting various athletes’ strategies and training techniques leading into the competition. Many runners achieved personal bests, showcasing their preparation for upcoming races.
This year’s Bristol Cross served as an essential component of the athletes’ preparation for future events, setting the stage for the remainder of the cross country season.
FAQ
Who won the boys race at the Bristol Cross?
Max Craig from Christiansburg won the boys race with a time of 16:05.7.
What was Keyston Hartford’s finishing time?
Keyston Hartford finished second with a time of 16:10.9.
What title does Keyston Hartford hold?
Keyston Hartford is the defending VHSL Class 1 state cross country champion.
Which school won the team title in the girls event?
Christiansburg won the team title in the girls event with a score of 51 points.
Who finished fourth in the boys race?
Fisher Battel from Daniel Boone finished fourth in the boys race with a time of 16:17.3.
How did Mariah Reed perform in the girls race?
Mariah Reed won the girls race with a time of 19:23.4.
What were some notable performances in the boys race?
Top five finishers included Max Craig (1st, 16:05.7), Keyston Hartford (2nd, 16:10.9), Calvin Wilbon (3rd, 16:12.3), Fisher Battel (4th, 16:17.3), and David Eaton (5th, 16:41.9).
Race Results
| Position | Name | School | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Craig | Christiansburg | 16:05.7 |
| 2 | Keyston Hartford | Grundy | 16:10.9 |
| 3 | Calvin Wilbon | Eastern Montgomery | 16:12.3 |
| 4 | Fisher Battel | Daniel Boone | 16:17.3 |
| 5 | David Eaton | Fork Union | 16:41.9 |
| Position | Name | School | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mariah Reed | Christiansburg | 19:23.4 |
| 2 | Ryan Belt | Providence Academy | 19:48.2 |
| 3 | Sadie Honeycutt | Daniel Boone | 20:15.5 |
| 4 | Cora Mosby | Radford | 20:44.5 |
| 5 | Jenna Reecher | Tennessee High | 21:02.1 |
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Additional Resources
- Bristol Herald Courier
- Wikipedia: Cross Country Running
- PC Patriot
- Google Search: Alleghany Cross Country Race
- Go Bobcats
- Google Scholar: Women’s Rugby Ilona Maher
- Bristol 247
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Road Relays
- Bristol Herald Courier
- Google News: High School Volleyball
Author: STAFF HERE BRISTOL WRITTER
The BRISTOL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBristol.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bristol, Sullivan County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway, Border Bash concert series, and the Hot Bristol Night Car Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Believe in Bristol, and the Birthplace of Country Music, plus leading businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Ballad Health, Strongwell, and Bristol Motor Speedway. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
