Why Redshirt College Runners?
Although there are exceptions, collegiate athletes generally have five years to get in four seasons of cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. Stretching an athlete's college career to five years can be beneficial for both the program and the runner--no matter if it's an NCAA contender or a hardworking up-and-comer--but there are plenty of variables to consider, including age, history of wellness, finances and even gender.
Intentionally redshirting freshmen has always made sense, especially on the men's side, where it's harder for a first-year runner to contribute. The sharp increase in both the volume and intensity of collegiate training and racing, the drama of dorm life and class schedules and adjusting to a new coach guarantee an onslaught of stress and fatigue. The trickier decision comes with holding out older, more successful runners who are healthy.
