DECATUR-Approximately 5,000 high school athletes will make their way to Lawrence County the first Saturday in October to compete in the prestigious Jesse Owens Cross Country Classic Invitational. The race, set for Saturday, October 2, 2021, is hosted by the Jesse Owens Runners’ Club and is held on the championship course located on the grounds of the Oakville Indian Mounds Education Center. The meet gets underway at 8:15 a.m.
Now in its 22nd year, the, the Jesse Owens Cross Country Classic brings junior high and high school students from Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi for a competitive race honoring one of Alabama’s greatest athletes. Born in 1913 in Oakville, Ala., Jesse Owens captured four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin overcoming racial and socioeconomic barriers. In 1955, he was named Ambassador of Sports by President Eisenhower and toured the world promoting the virtues of amateur programs.
The competition offers 12 divisions for boys and girls. The race schedule is as follows.
Start | Course | Division | Entries | |
8:15 | 5K | Silver Div Boys | Max 7 | 6A-7A Alabama |
8:30 | 5K | Bronze Div Girls | Unlimited | 4A-5A Alabama |
8:55 | 5K | Gold Div Boys | Max 7 | Championship Div, Best of the Best |
9:10 | 5K | Silver Div Girls | Max 7 | 6A-7A Alabama |
9:30 | 5K | Green Div Boys | Unlimited | 1A-3A Alabama |
9:55 | 5K | Gold Div Girls | Max 7 | Championship Div, Best of the Best |
10:10 | 5K | Bronze Div Boys | Unlimited | 4A-5A Alabama |
10:30 | 5K | Green Div Girls | Unlimited | 1A-3A Alabama |
10:50 | 5K | Red Div Boys | Unlimited | 6A-7A “B” Teams |
11:05 | 5K | Red Div Girls | Unlimited | 6A-7A “B” Teams |
11:35 | 2.1 mi | Jr High Div Boys | Unlimited | 7-9 Grades |
11:55 | 2.1 mi | Jr High Div Girls | Unlimited | 7-9 Grades |
• Gold Division (Varsity Div): This division is for the elite runners of any school classification. Limited to seven runners per this division. This is the Championship Division.
• Silver Division (Varsity Div): This division is for schools that occupy 569 students or more in grades 10-12, as in the case for Alabama schools: 6A-7A. Limited to 7 runners per this division.
• Bronze Division (Varsity Div): This division is for schools that occupy 566 students or less in grades 10-12, as in the case for Alabama schools: 4A-5A. Unlimited runners per this division.
• Green Division (Varsity Div): This division is for schools that occupy 282 students or less in grades 10-12, as in the case for Alabama schools: 1A-3A. Unlimited runners per this division.
• Red Division (Varsity Div): This division is for 6A-7A schools (Alabama or 569 students or more in grades 10-12) that have run their team’s top seven runners in the Gold Division and/or the Silver Division. This race is for the “B” team.
• JH Division: This division is for grades 7-9.
For more information on the championship course, team registration information and teams attending, visit https://al.milesplit.com/
The championship course is also great for spectators who want to witness competitive racing from the sidelines. Oakville Indian Mounds Education Center is located approximately 8 miles south of Moulton on Alabama Highway 157 and 1/2 mile from the Jesse Owens Memorial Park. Admission is free. Parking is $5 per vehicle with proceeds benefiting the Oakville Indian Mounds Park and Educational Center.
Media Release/Danielle Gibson, President & CEO
Decatur Morgan County Tourism, Inc.