Greene County News

CEDARVILLE — More than 3,000 participants are expected at Cedarville University’s Elvin R. King Cross Country Course on Saturday, Sept. 17 for the 26th Annual Friendship Invitational.

A total of 13 collegiate teams as well as more than 60 high schools and middle schools will come to campus setting an all-time high for the number of competitors in the meet’s history.

The college and university list includes Alabama-Huntsville, Cedarville, Central State, Cincinnati, Cincinnati Christian, Cleveland State, Cumberlands KY, Dayton, Grace Bible, Kentucky Christian, Miami University Running Club, Taylor, Wilberforce, Wilmington, and Wright State.

The men’s 8K will be first on the course at 9:30 a.m. EDT with the women’s 5K at 10:15. Four high school and two middle school races plus an ‘Open Fun Run’ wrap up the day.

The Lady Jackets are ranked No. 14 in the latest USTFCCCA NCAA Division II National Poll. They have won 14 Friendship titles in all including four of the last six.

The CU men have won their own meet nine times. Their last victory was in 2013 which was the final one in a string of six consecutive trophies.

Contributing to the record turnout is the fact the course is the host site of the OHSAA Southwest District meet on Oct. 22.

The Friendship gives high schools, who have not run the course before, a chance to see it in a competitive environment.

Admission for all fans is $7 per vehicle.