Runners Make Their Way to the Valley
By: Morgan Moore
Updated: November 16, 2012
The Division III NCAA cross country finals are taking place in Terre Haute this weekend.
Saturday's meet has been three years in the making, but officials say there was no other location the it could have taken place.
Welcome to Cross Country Town U.S.A.
Runners from around the nation have arrived in Terre Haute all to try and make it across the finish line first.
"We're just excited to have Division III, the community, the track and field, the coaches and all the athletes out here on the great championship course," said meet director Matthew Cole.
And for those in Terre Haute, it's a familiar site.
Indiana State University has hosted the division one championships in the past, but with those runners sprinting off to Louisville, Rose-Hulman knew they needed to keep the tradition in the Valley.
"We wanted to continue the tradition of hosting the national championship meets here and Terre Haute and cross-country town USA," said Cole. "It gives us an opportunity to showcase the Lavern Gibson championship cross-country course and it's an opportunity to get the Division III cross-country spectators and coaches on our campus."
Indiana's history of award-winning runners dates back over a century, and Rose-Hulman officials knew this was something these athletes needed to be a part of.
"Great athletes who have run in the Olympics just this year, a lot of those great distance runners from across the world have run on this course," said Cole.
The event draws in thousands of runners, coaches and fans, leaving a big mark on the area.
"To help the community. Our restaurants are packed our hotels are packed so we wanted to continue the tradition of hosting national championships," said Cole.
The gates open tomorrow at 9 a.m. and races being at 11.
Saturday's meet has been three years in the making, but officials say there was no other location the it could have taken place.
Welcome to Cross Country Town U.S.A.
Runners from around the nation have arrived in Terre Haute all to try and make it across the finish line first.
"We're just excited to have Division III, the community, the track and field, the coaches and all the athletes out here on the great championship course," said meet director Matthew Cole.
And for those in Terre Haute, it's a familiar site.
Indiana State University has hosted the division one championships in the past, but with those runners sprinting off to Louisville, Rose-Hulman knew they needed to keep the tradition in the Valley.
"We wanted to continue the tradition of hosting the national championship meets here and Terre Haute and cross-country town USA," said Cole. "It gives us an opportunity to showcase the Lavern Gibson championship cross-country course and it's an opportunity to get the Division III cross-country spectators and coaches on our campus."
Indiana's history of award-winning runners dates back over a century, and Rose-Hulman officials knew this was something these athletes needed to be a part of.
"Great athletes who have run in the Olympics just this year, a lot of those great distance runners from across the world have run on this course," said Cole.
The event draws in thousands of runners, coaches and fans, leaving a big mark on the area.
"To help the community. Our restaurants are packed our hotels are packed so we wanted to continue the tradition of hosting national championships," said Cole.
The gates open tomorrow at 9 a.m. and races being at 11.
