RUMFORD — Officials have postponed the next set of races for the U.S. Cross Country Championships until Wednesday.

Black Mountain of Maine Spokesman Craig Zurhorst said the host mountain wants the best possible racing surface for the more than 400 competitors from around the country who have turned out for the weeklong racing competition.

“As of mid-afternoon Sunday, we’ve been making snow. Crews are shoveling (the trails), and some of the racers are helping,” he said.

The weekend’s unusually warm temperatures made the trails “predictable,” he said.

On Monday Black Mountain staff were continuing to make snow, and some of the competitors were getting in some extra practice and training sessions.

The Black Mountain parking lot was filled with vehicles with license plates from New York to Wisconsin, from Vermont to Minnesota.

Events had been planned for Tuesday, with Wednesday previously scheduled as a practice day. Now that schedule has been reversed.

Racing starts on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. for both women’s and men’s events. Racing continues Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with an awards banquet set for Saturday night.

Zurhorst said Sunday’s events were “spectacular,” with nearly 300 athletes competing in a variety of races.

Although he said he could not estimate the number of spectators, he said many people watched from the ski lodge deck, the bridge and along the trails.

Some of the winners will advance to the U.S. Ski Team or to the Olympic team.

eadams@sunjournal.com