Runners on the Nebraska women's cross country team approached the starting line for Saturday's annual Rim Rock Classic near Lawrence, Kansas. With the start of the run only 5 minutes away, the team huddled for its pre-race pep talk.
Clouds loomed overhead, though, as the meet announcer abruptly informed the runners the race wouldn't start as scheduled at 9 a.m. Predicted lightning during the race caused the delay.
"Disappointment, but we understand the NCAA rules," Nebraska men's and women's cross country coach David Harris said. "You try to avoid stopping the race in the middle, which they would've had to do had there been a lightning strike, or lightning in the area.