On Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, over 1,800 top high school runners from across the state will compete at Leon County’s award winning Apalachee Regional Park in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cross Country Championships.

Hosted by Leon County Government’s Division of Tourism, this meet marks the 12th consecutive year Apalachee Regional Park has hosted the cross country state championships. The event is expected to bring more than 9,800 athletes, coaches and spectators to Leon County, leading to over $4.8 million in direct spend. The annual championships feature over 200 boys’ and girls’ teams in the association’s four classifications. All media partners who attend will be given special access to finish line areas, awards presentations and other trails.

Media representatives must obtain credentials for the event by completing and submitting the Credential Request Form by Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 5 p.m. Walk-up requests on the day of the event will not be considered. To pick up a credential at the press tent, media must present both a picture ID and a valid media ID (provided by the representative outlet). Freelancers must provide a short validation letter from the outlet's sports editor, printed on outlet stationery along with a valid media ID.

Races run on 25-minute intervals, with the first race at 7:20 a.m. and the last race at 10:15 a.m.

 

MEET SCHEDULE:
7:20 a.m.             Class 4A girls
7:45 a.m.             Class 1A girls
8:10 a.m.             Class 4A boys
8:35 a.m.             Class 1A boys
9:00 a.m.             Class 2A girls
9:25 a.m.             Class 3A girls
9:50 a.m.             Class 2A boys
10:15 a.m.           Class 3A boys

 

The awards ceremony for classes 4A and 1A will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the 8:45 a.m. race. The awards for classes 3A and 2A will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the last race.
 
General Admission to the event is $11.00 if purchased in advance here. Tickets are available on the day of the event for $14.00. Parking is included. Admission is free for children 3 years of age or younger.

For more information, contact Scott Lindeman, Marketing Communications Director for Leon County Tourism/Visit Tallahassee at (850) 606-2322 office or (850) 508-4461 cell or Scott.Lindeman@VisitTallahassee.com.

 

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 2023 Tallahassee-Leon County welcomed 2.4 million visitors who contributed $1.25 Billion in economic impact and accounts for more than 12,790 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, Twitter and Instagram or visit us at the Leon County Visitor Information Center and Gift Shop located at 918 Railroad Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32310.

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