Leon County to Host Elite Cross Country Competitions
Featuring World Athletics Cross Country Championship Tallahassee 26
All roads lead to Leon County this fall as Leon County Government’s award-winning cross country course at Apalachee Regional Park (ARP) gears up to host an elite lineup of competitions. These major cross country meets will be headlined by the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships on January 10, 2026, where Leon County will make history on the global stage.
Known as the “Capital of Cross Country,” Leon County once again proves to be a top sports tourism destination for cross country championships. The fall calendar features regional, state, and national championship meets that will draw thousands of athletes, coaches, and fans from across the country. The scheduled lineup of events is anticipated to welcome over 21,000 visitors and generate more than $3.6 million in direct spending for Leon County.
These events include Hoka Nights of Thunder XC Festival, Florida State University (FSU) Seminole Invite, National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Regional Championships, FSU Invitational Pre-State Meet, Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championships, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Cross Country National Championships, and the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Championships.
The 2025 season serves as a key milestone on the path to the most prestigious meet of all — the World Athletics Cross Country Championships. On January 10, 2026, Leon County will make history when it hosts the World Athletics Cross Country Championship Tallahassee 26, which is expected to draw over 500 athletes and 10,000 spectators from over 60 countries, generating an estimated direct spend of over $2.7 million to Leon County.
Immediately following the World Championships, on January 11, 2025, Leon County will continue its legacy of hosting elite competition with the USA Track and Field (USATF) Club Cross Country National Championships and the Armed Forces XC Championships, cementing ARP’s role as a cornerstone of the national and international running calendar.
Located in the heart of Florida’s Capital County, Apalachee Regional Park is one of the few sites in the United States built specifically for cross country, offering multiple loops, natural elevation changes, and scenic trails through pine forests. Since 2013, the venue has hosted 72 major meets and generated more than $85 million in direct spending for the local economy.
Fall Cross-Country Schedule of Events at ARP
- September 26, 2025 – FSU Seminole Invite
- October 24, 2025 – NJCAA Regional Championships
- October 25, 2025 – FSU Invitational Pre-State Meet
- October 27, 2025 – SWAC Championships
- November 21, 2025 – NAIA Cross Country National Championships
- November 22, 2025 – FHSAA State Championships
January 2026 Cross Country Events at ARP
- January 10, 2026 – World Athletics Cross Country Championship Tallahassee 26
- January 11, 2026 – USATF Club Cross Country National Championships
- January 11, 2026 – Armed Forces Cross Country Championship
For more information, contact Genesis Leggett, Marketing Communications Director for Leon County Tourism/Visit Tallahassee at Genesis.Leggett@VisitTallahassee.com.
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About The Leon County Division of Tourism/Visit Tallahassee: The Leon County Division of Tourism (Visit Tallahassee) is the official destination marketing organization charged with marketing Tallahassee-Leon County as a premier leisure, business and sports destination through direct sales, advertising, public relations, sports and visitor services. The Capital of Cross Country, Tallahassee-Leon County is home to the internationally recognized cross country course at Apalachee Regional Park, which will serve as the host for the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships. In 2024 Tallahassee-Leon County welcomed 2.4 million visitors who contributed $1.3 Billion in economic impact and accounts for more than 12,200 people employed in our community in the tourism & hospitality industry. For more information, go to VisitTallahassee.com or call toll free (800) 628-2866. Engage with Visit Tallahassee on Facebook and Instagram or visit us at the Leon County Visitor Information Center and Gift Shop located at 414 E. Bloxham Street, Suite 115, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
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