Erin Gillingham is a distance runner, and a good one at that.

The Torrey Pines High junior excels in several different endeavors thanks to her athletic talent. Gillingham is a track star at many distances.

But if she had to choose, Gillingham would trade in a well-manicured oval for an all-terrain cross country course any day.

"Call me crazy, but I like running hills," Gillingham said. "I like the challenge."

Gillingham isn't the only one who appreciates the increased level of difficulty that cross country brings to distance running. Some of that variation is due to the elements, but most of it comes from the courses themselves.

There are several famous courses throughout North County, the San Diego Section and the state that offer a unique set of challenges.

The most daunting portions of those courses have specialized names. Kit Carson Park's Roller Coaster, Morley Field's Dog Loop or Mt. San Antonio College's Poop Out Hill symbolize strain and struggle for the runners who must navigate them.

There are other areas without catchy names that can also bring the pain.

The relentless hills of San Dieguito Park, the nearly 180-degree, momentum-killing turn at Guajome Park and narrow pathways of Ramona Oaks Park can also hinder runners on their trek for the finish.

These courses often go into canyons, over embankments, through ravines and back onto paved roads. In the case of popular meets and invitationals, runners must work through not only the courses but hundreds of other competitors.

"That's part of the reason why I love cross country," Ramona coach Mario Balcom said. "It's not a speed sport. In track, the fastest man wins. There's a lot more involved in cross country, which requires strength, endurance and strategy. In my opinion, it's much more challenging."

Morley Field is widely recognized as the most challenging course in the section. It plays host to the section finals and cross country's unofficial national championship meet, tormenting runners with a daunting hill, slow inclines and diverse terrain.

The most unique cross country course in North County might be in Ramona. The Bulldogs' home course has several weird features -- a single-track ravine at the 2-mile mark, sandy trails and a steep hill with soft footing.

Coaches must prepare their runners for anything, which has created some unique training strategies.

"We run mountains," Balcom said, "so when we get back to normal courses, hills don't seem so bad."

While each course offers its own obstacles, coaches have found certain similarities that can help their kids weather the course.

"All the key courses all have the same basic features," Rancho Bernardo coach Terry Dockery said. "They're flat to slightly downhill in the first mile, and the hills start immediately after that. That includes Woodward Park (a Fresno course that hosts the CIF state meet), Morley Field and Kit Carson. That's why I like our home course (at Black Mountain Ranch Park), because it follows that same pattern.

"Because of those similarities, I try to teach the kids to get out hard in the first mile and be in good position to start the hard work necessary to get through the second. I can't train them for every little nuance, but I can teach them the basics on how to work through a difficult course."

Teammates can also be a valuable asset when navigating an arduous course, especially during an invitational with hundreds of runners.

"Your team is your most valuable tool," Westview runner Alicia Trujillo said. "Staying together can really help you push on and remain focused. If everybody takes some of the burden, it's not quite as bad. Fighting through the course is much easier when you have support."

Contact staff writer Scott Bair at (760) 739-6642 or sbair@nctimes.com.

Prime picks

La Costa Canyon's Katy Andrews and Fallbrook's Bret Hasvold, the top girls and boys cross country runners in North County pick their favorite courses in the state:

Katy Andrews

1. Woodward Park, Fresno

"The state meet is run there, so there's always a buzz around the course."

2. Mt. SAC, Walnut

"This is probably the most difficult course around. I love it because it's such a challenge."

3. Lake Poway

"It's a beautiful course with it's own set of difficulties."

Bret Hasvold

1. Woodbridge High, Irvine

"You finish the Woodbridge Invitational on the track in front of a big crowd. The atmosphere there is electric, especially because it's at night."

2. Guajome Park, Vista

"It's has the right combination of hills and flat stretches."

3. Laguna Hills High

"It's a course that suits my style of running."

Course rankings

A list of each league's home courses by difficulty compiled by staff writer Scott Bair with input from area coaches and runners:

Avocado

Course - School(s)

1. Guajome Park - Vista, El Camino, Oceanside

2. Fallbrook High - Fallbrook

3. Buena Vista Park - Rancho Buena Vista

4. Poinsettia Park - Carlsbad

Palomar

1. San Dieguito Park - Torrey Pines, La Costa Canyon

2. Black Mountain Ranch Park - Rancho Bernardo, Westview

3. Lake Poway - Poway

4. Mt. Carmel High - Mt. Carmel

Valley

1. Kit Carson Park - Orange Glen, San Pasqual, Valley Center

2. Ramona Oaks Park - Ramona

3. La Posas/Paloma Valley - Mission Hills

4. Discovery Hills Park - San Marcos

5. Jesmond Dene Park - Escondido