Leon County Government’s award-winning cross country course at Apalachee Regional Park will host eight major cross country events this fall, including five state, regional, and national championships. This year’s lineup is anticipated to bring more than 24,000 visitors and result in $13 million in direct spending for Leon County.
Events include the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Pre-Nationals, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Pre-Nationals, Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Pre-State, Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Conference Championships, the NJCAA Regional Championships, FHSAA State Championships, NJCAA National Championships, and the NAIA National Championships. New races this year include the NJCAA National Championships, the SWAC Conference Championships, and the NAIA National Championships.
As the Capital of Cross Country, Leon County’s Apalachee Regional Park is a multi-use venue that includes one of the nation’s year-round sites designed specifically for cross country running. Home to the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships, the venue features various course and distance options through picturesque rolling hills, lowlands, and rugged pine forests. Each year, the park welcomes thousands of runners and visitors at some of the nation’s most prestigious cross country events. Over the past decade, the facility has hosted 105 meets, leading to more than $51 million in direct spending here in Leon County.
Fall Cross-Country Events at Apalachee Regional Park
| September 4 | TCC Open (NJCAA Pre-Nationals) |
| September 16-17 | Thomas University Invitational (NAIA Pre-Nationals) |
| October 7-8 | FSU Invitational (FHSAA Pre-State) |
| October 24 | SWAC Conference Championships (FHSAA Pre-State) |
| October 28 | NJCAA Regional Championships |
| November 4-5 | FHSAA State Championships |
| November 10-12 | NJCAA National Championships |
Original source can be found here.
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