FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Cross Country will toe the start line for the first time in 2025 Thursday night at the Rogers State Distance After Dark at the Mohawk Sports Complex in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The women's 5000-meter race is set to run at 10 p.m. followed by the men's 4-mile race at 10:30 p.m. Live timing will be available at uafortsmithlions.com. Â
This is the first of six scheduled races for the Lions this season. UAFS is also slated to run in the Missouri Southern Stampede (Sept. 20), Chile Pepper Festival (October 4), UAH Chargers Invitational (Oct.11), MIAA Championships (Oct. 25) and NCAA II Central Regional (November 8).
UAFS returns seven runners in its women's program, including its top five runners from this race a year ago. Record-setter Cadence Hodge returns to lead the Lions along with seniors Rachel Malik, Hailey Malik and Zoe Nesbitt. The Lions will be looking to improve on their 11th-place finish in their first MIAA Championships.
The Lions bring back nine runners from last season, led by Conner Valentine and Parker Brown. Six of the nine returners were in the top seven for the Lions at last year's MIAA Championships.
Head Coach Mason Rhodes is entering his eighth season leading the Lions.
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