Simon Thorpe: Dixon High School Cross Country

Overview

Dixon High School’s cross country and track programs, led by Head Coach Simon Thorpe, are setting a new standard for high-school athletics. By strategically fundraising and investing in a Boost Microgravity Treadmill, the team has given athletes a cutting-edge recovery and training tool typically only seen in elite universities and professional programs.

The Challenge

As Dixon’s distance program expanded to more than 150 middle and high school runners and performance goals escalated, Thorpe focused on keeping athletes healthy and training consistently—without the long layoffs that often accompany injuries in young runners. Confronted with the familiar cycle of shin splints, stress injuries, and forced downtime, he sought a solution to protect the athletes’ health, maintain mileage, and reduce overuse injuries while still preparing them for championship-level performance. In a small Midwestern town with limited resources, however, the high cost of a microgravity treadmill posed a significant barrier.

“We were looking for a way to keep kids running through minor injuries and not lose their fitness.”

The Solution

Thorpe first heard about Boost years ago through social media and later revisited the idea after learning about new research on anti-gravity treadmills at a coaching convention. Inspired, he approached the purchase as a community project:

• Fundraising Innovation – Built a multi-channel strategy that included summer cross-country camps, seasonal raffle ticket sales, and dedicated school accounts.
• Community & Alumni Engagement – Launched a simple website (dixonxtf.org) to share fundraising updates and plans to add alumni-sponsored “name on the wall” opportunities.
• Flexible Financing – Leveraged Boost’s two-payment installment plan to make the purchase achievable.

These efforts, combined with Thorpe’s experience in alumni outreach, quickly turned a “pipe dream” into reality.

“The two-payment installment plan from Boost was a game changer—it made the whole thing realistic for a public-school program.”

The Implementation

Once the Boost arrived, Thorpe integrated it into daily training. Athletes schedule time on the treadmill for recovery runs, high-intensity intervals, or low-impact mileage after hard workouts. The program’s size means the machine sees near-constant use, and athletes quickly embraced it as a key part of their training, especially when rehabbing or building speed. Athletes use it for:

• Preventive Care - Early intervention when soreness begins, reducing injury risk.
• Rehabilitation - Low-impact running that keeps athletes moving through soft-tissue issues.
• Performance Gains - Extending mileage safely for top performers and giving younger runners extra running days.

“If someone has a little ache, we can get them on the Boost and keep their mileage without making the issue worse.”

The Results

Since adding the Boost, Dixon has seen a striking drop in overuse injuries and stronger team performances across all levels. Athletes maintain fitness during recovery, build confidence running at race pace, and stay engaged with the program even when dealing with minor setbacks. The team reports more consistent training cycles and fewer lost seasons.

• Health & Longevity - Only one stress injury in five years; athletes maintain mileage without painful downtime.
• Confidence & Culture - The team takes pride in having technology few high schools can access, creating a unique identity and “secret-sauce” mentality.
• Competitive Edge - Dixon’s boys’ team entered the season ranked No. 1 in its class and is eyeing a berth at Nike Cross Nationals.

“In the last five years, we’ve only had one stress injury. That’s unheard of for a program our size.”

Looking Ahead

Next steps include a targeted alumni campaign and corporate sponsorship outreach to retire the remaining balance and fund future enhancements. 

“This is an investment that will benefit hundreds of athletes for years. It’s not just about winning races—it’s about keeping kids healthy and excited to run.”

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Fundraising Works - Creative community engagement can overcome high upfront costs.
• Early Access Matters - Providing advanced recovery tools to younger athletes keeps them healthy, motivated and prevents burnout.
• Boost Builds Culture - Beyond physical benefits, the Boost technology strengthens team pride and sets Dixon apart from their competition.
  

By blending vision, persistence, and community support, Dixon High School proves that the Boost Microgravity Technology can transform a youth running program—keeping athletes healthy, motivated, and competitive all season long.