Cross Country Invitational to present new challenge
October 14, 2024 - 02:32 PM
The Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational will run its 76th installment this month, and the thousands of athletes who compete this year will race on a new course with a new finish line, ending inside Hilmer Lodge Stadium.
“The biggest change to the world's largest cross country competition is the change of the traditional course path,” said Brian Yokoyama, Mt. SAC’s Director, Athletics Special Events. “This will be the first major change in nearly 50 years, with the finish line moving within the stadium. The new course path allows for greater viewing of races for spectators and coaches.”
The first set of athletes to run the course will be on Friday, Oct. 18, when the Community
College Division races. The Women’s Invitational begins at 10 a.m. and the Men’s Invitational
starts at 10:45 a.m. Mt. SAC’s teams are expected to be among the favorites. 
The Mt. SAC Men’s team is “ranked No. 1 in the state,” and the Mt. SAC Women’s team is “ranked No. 2 in the state,” Yokoyama said. “Both teams are the defending California Community College champions. Mt. SAC Men are looking for their third consecutive state championship, and Mt. SAC Women are looking for their fourth consecutive state championship.”
Approximately 20 college teams and 430 athletes are expected to compete on Friday.
The Elementary/Middle School Divisions will run later in the day on Friday, with the Middle School Division racing from 2-4:40 p.m. and the Elementary School Division competing from 4:05-6 p.m. Over 115 elementary and middle schools are expected to be represented by nearly 4,500 young athletes.
On Oct. 25 and 26, the High School Divisions will race. On Friday, Oct. 25, CIF Divisions 3, 4 and 5 will compete from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 26, CIF Divisions 1 and 2 will run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Over 13,500 athletes from over 450 high schools are expected at the event.
Tickets for the event are $12 for general admission, children 12 and younger are $6, seniors 65 or older are $6, and students with a valid ID are $6. Parking is $10.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://runmtsac.com/invite/.
