Leon County Hosts National Cross Country Championships

Leon County Hosts National Cross Country Championships
Apalachee Regional Park Concludes Stellar Season with AAU and USATF Meets

WHO: Leon County
WHAT: Amateur Athletic Association Cross Country National Championships and USA Track & Field National Club Cross Country Championship
WHEN: Saturday, December 3, 2016 and Saturday, December 10, 2016
WHERE: Apalachee Regional Park, 7550 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee

Leon County hosts the final two cross country national championship meets on Saturday, December 3 and Saturday, December 10, with more than 2,000 of the nation’s best athletes racing at Apalachee Regional Park, which was named 2016 "Venue of the Year" in mid-size markets by the Florida Sports Foundation.

Runners age 5 to 18 compete Saturday, December 3, in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Cross Country National Championships. More than 1,000 athletes running with 100 teams or competing individually from across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Bahamas will race in age classifications on courses ranging from 1k to 5k. Nearly 30 states and territories are represented by the teams entered. The first race starts at 9 a.m. Last race starts at 2:15 p.m. Results will be posted at this AAU link. The event is open to the public.

Additionally, the AAU meet will feature the AAU Cares Toy Drive, which collects new toys from participants and spectators on behalf of pediatric patients at Tallahassee Memorial Children’s Center.

On December 10, USA Track & Field (USATF) will also hold its 2016 National Club Cross Country Championships, the second major event his year at Apalachee Regional Park. Last month, Apalachee Regional Park hosted the USATF Masters 5k Cross Country Championships. At next Saturday’s event, top athletes from around the nation will compete in 6k, 8k and 10k masters and open races for men and women. More than 1,000 eligible runners are expected to enter. The first race starts at 8 a.m. The last race begins at 11:30 a.m. Results will be posted at this USATF link. The event is open to the public.

For additional advance information contact Gary Stogner, Leon County Division of Tourism Development at (850) 491-8644 / StognerG@LeonCountyFL.gov or Laura Cassels, Leon County Division of Tourism Development at (850) 830-9690 / CasselsLa@LeonCountyFL.gov.

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