Jim Archer didn't wait for the awards ceremony to start before he began helping pick up the 600 cones that lined the Woahink course. Stan Pusieski/EWS

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09271500_IMG_4586.png - Stan Pusieski/EWS

It may take a village to raise a child, but it certainly takes nearly as many people to put on an event such as the annual Lake Woahink Cross Country Invitational at Honeyman State Park.

"It takes about 45 people to do this the right way," meet director Chris Johnson said. "(That's) because the course is so spread out and complicated.

"We need and have good people everywhere. It's awesome."

The veteran Siuslaw coach is appreciative of many, but knows who to thank first.

"Jim Archer is such a selfless individual," Johnson said of the longtime Vikings booster, who at the time was busy helping pick up some 600 cones used to line the course.

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"I told Jim that once he stops coming out, that's the end of this without him."

Johnson also gave thanks to Athletic Timing and Dan Bowdoin, who provided real-time results that could be enjoyed immediately by those on site and anyone online.

"Athletic Timing was gigantic," Johnson said. "(Dan) runs the whole show for us. This is probably the smoothest (event) we've ever had."

Johnson also has family and friends, from near and far, who lend support. Even his mother and father show up.

"We have people who do the concession stands whose kids graduated four, five years ago, and still they come out and help," Johnson said.

"Woahink is a community event, and it's something the whole community can be proud of."

It's also an opportunity to introduce one of Oregon's most beautiful parks to runners and their supporters from around the state.

"We love the fact that we get to showcase this great park," Johnson said. "It's historically been the best weekend of the the cross-country season, weatherwise."

Saturday's race was run under sunny skies with temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s.

"It's beautiful," Johnson said of Honeyman State Park. "This is why we have state parks, so we can go outside and enjoy it, be active and be healthy."