Two strong fields will line-up for the annual USATF Cross Country Championships, once again at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida. The senior men and women will compete over 10 km, with large fields entered.
This year’s Cross Country Nationals are especially important as the race will select the U.S. team for the World Cross Country Championships, coming 30 March in Aarhus (DEN). Some of the top entries:
Men:
● Leonard Korir ~ Two-time defending champion
● Garrett Heath ~ 2015 National Champion
● Stanley Kebenei ~ 2017 runner-up; third in 2018
● Shadrack Kipchirchir ~ Third in 2017
● Emmanuel Bor ~ Lifetime best 13:20.66 for 5,000 m in 2018
● Hillary Bor ~ 2016 Olympic Steeplechase seventh; 8:11.82 PR from 2017
● Donn Cabral ~ 2012 and 2016 Olympian in Steeplechase: 8th both times
● Eric Jenkins ~ 13:07.33 for 5,000 m and 27:48.02 for 10,000 m on the track
● Ben True ~ World Cross Country Champs: 6th in 2013
Women:
● Stephanie Bruce ~ World Cross Country Champs: 22nd in 2017
● Amy Cragg ~ 2017 World Championships Marathon bronze medalist
● Courtney Frerichs ~ Steeplechase American Record holder (9:02.58 ‘17)
● Shelby Houlihan ~ American 5,000 m record holder (14:34.45 ‘18)
● Molly Huddle ~ American 10,000 m record holder (30:13.17 ‘16)
● Shannon Rowbury ~ American 1,500 m record holder (3:56.29 ‘17)
● Karissa Schweizer ~ 2016 NCAA Cross Country Champion at Missouri
● Laura Thweatt ~ 2014 National Champion
● Aliphine Tuliamuk ~ 2017 National Champion
There is prize money for the top 10 placers: $4,000-2,500-1,500-1,250-1,000-900-750-650-550-400. There will also be a $1,750 bonus for the six athletes – men and women – chosen to represent the U.S. at the World Cross Country Championships.
Look for results here.