Every fall, West Ottawa hosts the Bredeweg Invitational, a cross-country meet that’s more than just a chance to race: it’s a tradition that’s been going strong for over 40 years. As the leaves turn crisp and autumn colors burst forth, the air fills with the buzz of excitement from athletes warming up and the cheers of families and friends gathering along the course. What started as a small local competition has evolved into one of the largest early-season cross-country events in the area, attracting schools from all over West Michigan to compete on WO’s home course.
The meet is named after Coach Norman Bredeweg, who led the West Ottawa cross country team from the 1960s through the 1980s during the program’s early years. For two decades he helped build the program from the ground up. After he retired, Coach Jon Helder started the invitational to honor him, and since then, it has become a meaningful part of the season for many runners, past and present.
Of course, like any long-standing event, it has had its tough years. When COVID interrupted high school sports in 2020, only six teams were able to attend due to restrictions. However, the next year, when the restrictions were lifted, the meet rebounded strongly, with 23 schools participating- and it has been growing ever since. These days, the invitational brings together over 20 teams and is complete with food trucks, improved course design, custom shirt printing, and great energy from the growing crowd.
Over the years, additions like wooden course markers built through a Boy Scout project have made it even more memorable and accessible. Runners encounter a variety of terrain on the course, from open fields to shaded woods. High school runners take on a 5K, and middle school athletes race a 2-mile, which gives younger runners a chance to be part of something big.
Even though it’s grown significantly through the years, the Bredeweg Invite still feels like home to many WO athletes. Alumni come back to cheer. Parents line the course with signs and cameras. Middle schoolers look up to the varsity runners. It’s not just a race, it’s a celebration of everything that makes cross country special.
When the gun goes off and the runners charge forward, it’s not just about winning. It’s about honoring the past, pushing through the pain, and being part of something that’s lasted for more than four decades and hopefully many more to come.
