Lynchburg, Va. – The University of Lynchburg men's and women's cross country teams will make their season debut on Friday, Sept. 4 at the Virginia Tech Invitational in Blacksburg, Va., hosted at the Buford Meredith Cross Country Course.

Both teams will race shortened distances for their opening race; the women will traverse 4.4 kilometers, and the men compete in the 6k. The Hornets will face stiff local competition across several divisions, including Virginia Tech, Washington & Lee and Concord (W.V.).

Event Schedule

Women's 4.4k – 6:45 p.m.

Men's 6k – 7:15 p.m.

Weather

Athletes will endure steamy conditions throughout the New River Valley on Friday evening, as temperatures loom throughout the high 80s under partly cloudy skies. Wind gusts will remain minimal, and no precipitation is expected.

Buford Meredith Cross Country Course

Built and opened for racing in 1993, the 3.1-mile course is situated on the Hokies' campus and exclusively hosts cross country competition. The course sits minutes away from Rector Fieldhouse, which hosts Virginia Tech's indoor track & field competitions.

Runners will maneuver rural, hilly terrain through meadows, cornfields and wooded areas on the course. The Hokies will host three meets in Blacksburg throughout the season.

Fresh Faces

Four transfers will prepare to make their Lynchburg debuts throughout the season, including Ty Blair, Korede Otusajo, Caden Strickland and Kami Wlodyka. Blair, Otusajo and Strickland join Lynchburg from the Division I realm, while Wlodyka unites with the women's team after competing for Division III Springfield College.

In addition, the Hornets boast 18 first-year athletes: 12 men and six women. 

Follow Along

To access live results from the 2026 Virginia Tech Invitational, click here.