Penn High School’s boys and girls cross country teams train and compete on an all-grass course at Elm Road Elementary School, located at 59400 Elm Road, Mishawaka, Indiana.
The course combines open straightaways, turns and challenging hills, giving student-athletes varied terrain for distance running and competition. For families exploring high school cross country programs in the Mishawaka, Granger and South Bend area, Penn offers a dedicated home course that tests endurance, pacing and race strategy.
A Challenging 5K Cross Country Course
Penn’s home course is considered one of the more challenging courses in the Northern Indiana Conference. Runners complete two laps to cover the full 5K race distance used in IHSAA cross country competition.
The route features small, steep hills and a longer climb on the largest hill at the back of the course. These elevation changes challenge runners to manage their effort across changing terrain.
Course Layout and Running Surface
The course has an all-grass running surface and a 200-yard start and finish straightaway.
Runners begin with a long straightaway before navigating turns toward the first small hill. A second, steeper hill follows, leading to the course’s largest climb on the back section. Completing the loop twice requires runners to balance a strong start with enough energy for the final lap and finish.
Home to Penn Boys and Girls Cross Country
The Elm Road course gives Penn’s boys and girls cross country teams a home setting for training and competitive meets. Its combination of hills and straightaways supports the development of distance-running skills, including maintaining pace, approaching climbs and finishing strong.
The course is part of Penn High School’s network of athletic facilities, providing a sport-specific setting beyond the main high school campus.
Location and Meet-Day Facilities
Penn High School Cross Country Course
Elm Road Elementary School
59400 Elm Road
Mishawaka, Indiana
Portable restroom facilities are available at the course. Families and visiting teams should check meet information for event-specific arrival and parking instructions.
Additional Athletic Training Facilities
Penn student-athletes also have access to the Culver’s Athletic Performance Center and the Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse.