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XC Invitational to See 1 Millionth Runner Cross Finish Line

Women running the Invitational in 1993
By Robert Bledsoe

October 09, 2026 - 10:10 AM

As Mt. SAC celebrates its 80th Anniversary, the Cross Country (XC) Invitational has been around for almost as long. It’s known as the “Super Bowl of Cross Country Running” and this month, the 78th Invitational will have its 1 Millionth  runner cross the finish line.

Visit runmtsac.com for details and schedule.

Friday, October 16
ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL, COMMUNITY COLLEGE DIVISIONS

Friday -Saturday, October 23-24
HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION

Click to view the gallery to see the History of the XC Invitational. 

Special thanks to Brian Yokoyama, Marc Ruh, and Melissa Shepherd for archival material.

  • As Mt. SAC celebrates its 80th Anniversary, the Cross Country (XC) Invitational has been around for almost as long. It’s known as the “Super Bowl of Cross Country Running”
  • This month, the 78th Invitational will have its 1 millionth runner cross the finish line!
  • Friday, October 16 ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL, COMMUNITY COLLEGE DIVISIONS Friday -Saturday, October 23-24 HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
  • The Community College race (Oct. 16 at 10 a.m.) is free to watch, but there is a $5 parking fee. The other divisional races do have spectating and parking fees. Visit runmtsac.com for details and schedule.
  • Two years after Mt. SAC opened, the college’s first track and XC coach, Hilmer Lodge, organized the first XC Invitational. Ten schools took part.
  • The stadium is named after him for this reason. And today, the course finishes in his namesake stadium.
  • Originally, the course began here, on the corner of Grand and Temple Ave., and ended where today it starts: on Bonita Ave.
  • Believe it or not, Bonita Ave. was once the Mt. SAC Aviation program’s runway.
  • Hilmer Lodge retired in 1963 and Don Ruh replaced him. Don would be involved with organizing the event for 60 years, until he passed in 2023.
  • In 1965-66 the course was moved to the south side of Temple Ave. to be more spectator friendly.
  • Many of those who ran in the Invitational did so barefoot, until the mid 1960s when shoes became a requirement.
  • In the early 1970s, female athletes began running in individual competition. Within a few years enough were running to proclaim a “Sweepstakes Winner” in the divisions.
  • The notoriously grueling course contains three hill climbs, depending on the division racing: Switchbacks, Poop Out Hill and Reservoir Hill.
  • In 1965, the now famous cartoon shirts were introduced. You can get your 1 Millionth milestone 2026 shirt at the event or email byokoyama@mtsac.edu
  • Mt. SAC XC Invitational participants: 1964-3,500, 1981-6,000, 2001-15,000, 2025-19,000
  • It’s easy to see why Runner’s World called it “the largest cross country event on the globe”.
  • Come cheer on the men’s and women’s Mountie XC teams Fri. Oct. 16 at 10 a.m.
 

 

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