After a week layoff, the UAFS men's and women's cross country teams will resume their regular-season race schedule on Saturday when they compete in the 26^th annual Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival hosted by the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

The Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival was created to bring three Northwest Arkansas cross-country races under a single event. It is now one of the premier running events in America. Each year more than 80 college teams and 120 high school teams battle for prestige and unique Chile Pepper-themed awards.

Additionally, 750 individuals participate in the Open 10k and 5k Fun Run plus the New Tom Lewis 1-Mile Pepper Dash on Friday night. The event is held at
University of Arkansas' off-road course, and all runners are invited to enjoy a Hot Mexican food feast following the race.

The event attracts about 5,000 runners and about 5,000 spectators during the weekend.

The Lions will compete in the men's collegiate division 8k at 9:45 a.m., while the Lady Lions will compete in the women's collegiate division 5k at 10:20 a.m. The awards ceremony will be at 11:10 a.m.

Along with UAFS, the field will include teams from Arkansas, Abilene Christian, Arkansas State, Arkansas Tech, Bacone College, Baker University, Barton Community College, Baylor, Central Arkansas, Chadron State, Christian Brothers, Cloud County Community College, Coffeyville Community College, Cottey College, Drake University, East Central, Harding, Houston, Iowa Central Community College, John Brown, Kansas State, Kansas Wesleyan, Lamar, LSU, McNeese State, Missouri Southern, Missouri S&T, New Mexico Highlands, North Texas, Northwest Missouri State, Northwestern Oklahoma State, Oklahoma Baptist, Oklahoma City, Pratt Community College, Southern Arkansas, Stephen F. Austin, TCU, Texas A&M-Commerce, Texas State, Texas Tech, Trinity, University of Louisiana-Monroe, University of Sioux Falls, University of South Alabama, University of Texas-Pan American, UTEP, MSU-West Plains, West Texas A&M, Wichita State and Williams Baptist.