From the other side of the world, the Sports Travel Australian team has come to Las Vegas. Traveling for cross country (XC), the Australian team endured a 20-hour flight to race in the United States, visiting California before finishing their exciting trip in Las Vegas.

While in town, they connected with Shadow Ridge’s own XC team—sharing a practice, dinner, and time together. Shadow runners were able to interact with the Australians, learning more about their culture while also exchanging experiences from their own lives. Running served as the connection, bridging athletes from different continents.

Junior XC runner Mandi Abney said, “Running connects people from different places because you are all putting in time and effort into the same thing and can understand the challenges that come with this sport.”

Bonding over the struggles of training and pushing each other in workouts, Abney added, “My favorite part of training with them was being able to see how fast they are, and being inspired to push even harder.”

That shared motivation and encouragement created a memorable moment for both the Australians and Shadow runners. For many of the visiting athletes, this was their very first trip to the United States.

One Australian runner said, “This is my first time in the United States and it has been a really fun experience. I think you guys living next to the mountains are so cool—you just wake up and they’re right there.”

The teams bonded not only through running but also through games like basketball and hacky sack. Later, they shared a meal, talked, and exchanged uniforms, postcards, and other keepsakes to remember one another.

Sophomore XC runner, Anna Scow said, “I will remember how nice they were. They loved to share about Australia and just talk to us—and of course, their accents. Running with them changed how I think about XC, because now I see it as a sport that can unite total strangers. We were able to become friends really quickly through our love of running.” 

This visit strengthened the Shadow Ridge runners’ love for both their sport and their community—an experience they’ll remember for a lifetime.

Shadow Ridge XC Coach Frank stated, “It was an honor and a privilege getting to share our facility with our friends from down under.” He added, “The biggest thing I noticed was not how different we were, but how similar. Their coaches and I designed a workout that day with ease because we shared nearly identical training philosophies and beliefs about running and coaching.”

No matter the distance, the Australians and Shadow Ridge runners proved that the love of running can build strong bonds and lasting memories.