Thousands of talented youth prepare for 2016 USATF National Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships

12/9/2016

 

HOOVER, Alabama -- Over 3,500 athletes, representing all 50 states and spanning ages 7-18, will converge at Veterans Park for the 2016 USATF National Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships on Saturday, December 10.

 

Ten races, beginning at 9:00 a.m. CT and running through 1:30 p.m. CT, will decide the 2016 champions as the USATF Alabama Association hosts the event for the second time. Live coverage will be available on USATF.TV +PLUS starting at 8:50 a.m. CT.

 

Returning 3 km champion Aidyn Woodall (Parker, Colorado; Parker Panthers) will go for a four-peat in her first time competing in the girls’ 13-14 division. Kai Groleau (Santa Cruz, California; Fall Creek Running Club) will run the boys 9-10 3 km after recently winning both the Pacific Association Junior Olympic XC Championships and Region 14 Junior Olympic XC Championship.

 

Two-time Olympic medalist and seven-time IAAF World Championships medalist Terrence Trammell (Decatur, Georgia) will be the keynote speaker at Friday’s opening ceremony. Trammell will be joined by Maurice Smith, James Harris, Kristin Heaston, Leevan Sands and SLD Sports Management Group’s Stacy L. Danley.

 

The first race kicks off Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. CT with the 7-8 girls 2 km, followed by boys 7-8 at 9:30 a.m.. The remaining eight races will begin every 30 minutes, separated by age groups across the 3 km, 4 km and 5 km courses.  

 

Visit USATF.org for event info and live race results, and follow along at the 2016 USATF National Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook using #JOXC.