Lynchburg, Va. – The University of Lynchburg cross country teams will travel in separate directions for their first split-squad weekend of the season, featuring the Richmond Invitational in Mechanicsville, Va. on Friday, Oct. 2 and the 2026 Running of the Cows in Northfield, Minn. on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Just one month before the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championships, the Hornets aim to post season-best marks against several premier Division III opponents. National-level athletes will compete at the national preview in Minnesota, hosted by Carleton College, while the rest of the team will travel to Pole Green Park.

Richmond Invitational (Friday, Oct. 2)

Event Schedule

The college men's 8,000m will kick off at 9:08 a.m. following the national anthem, while the women's 6,000m begins at 10:00 a.m.

Weather

While high temperatures will reach 90 degrees in Richmond on Friday, athletes will enjoy optimal conditions in the early morning. Sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70s will open the door for season-best marks.

Course Overview

With minimal elevation gain, Pole Green Park perennially attracts top talent throughout the East Coast. The site will host the 2026 Big East Conference Championships and remains easily accessible for spectators, consisting primarily of grass and dirt trails.

The course hosted the USATF Cross Country National Championships in 2023 and 2024 as part of the Richmond Cross Country Festival.

Splitting and Striding

This weekend marks the cross country team's first split-squad endeavor since mid-October of the 2025 season, where the Hornets competed at the Connecticut College Invite and Roanoke Inter-Regional.

Running of the Cows (Saturday, Oct. 3)

Event Schedule

The Lynchburg men's and women's teams will compete in the Navy Championship Division races. The women's race will begin at noon EST, while the men's race takes place at 1:00 p.m. EST.

Weather

Temperatures will rest in the mid-60s throughout Saturday afternoon under partly cloudy skies, while wind gusts could peak at 15 miles per hour. No precipitation is expected.

Course Overview

The Bill Huyck Championship Cross Country Course will host the 2026 NCAA DIII Cross Country Championships for the first time in November, although it previously served as the host site for the 2024 NCAA North Region Championships.

With a grass, dirt and crushed rock surface, the course weaves along the perimeter of several grass fields. The course boasts many steady hills and loops often to create an enjoyable experience for spectators.

Riding the High

The Lynchburg men's team placed first at the NCAA South Region Preview last time out. Ty Blair claimed the first individual victory of his cross country career with a 25:43.0 8k performance, while the Hornets earned three of the top five positions.

The Hornets returned five of their seven athletes who competed at the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships, where the team placed 26th.

Follow Along

To follow live results from the Richmond Invitational, click here.

For live results from the 2026 Running of the Cows, click here.

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--LYN--