Leon County Will Continue Hosting Florida High School Cross Country Championships

Leon County Will Continue Hosting Florida High School Cross Country Championships

 

Media Contact:

Scott Lindeman 

Scott.Lindeman@VisitTallahassee.com  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --- Leon County’s Apalachee Regional Park has yet again been selected to host the prestigious Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA) state championship through 2021 with an opportunity to extend through 2024. Leon County has hosted the FHSAA state championships since 2013, and in that time has hosted over 1,500 teams, over 10,000 participants, and over 30,000 visitors, leading to over $15 million in direct spending.

“Apalachee Regional Park is a one-of-a-kind facility that drives sports tourism here in Leon County,” said Leon County Chairman Jimbo Jackson. “When the 800-member FHSAA chooses your facility to host the state championships, you know you’re doing it right.”

Apalachee Regional Park is a multi-use park that includes one of the nation’s few sites designed specifically for cross country running. Featuring various course and distance options through rolling hills, lowlands, and pine forests, the park can host thousands of runners and visitors at some of the nation’s largest sporting events. Also, when the cross country trail is not being used for a running event, it is open to the general public for hiking, running, and biking.

“Apalachee Regional Park’s success is built upon strong community partnerships,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “From the County’s work with Florida State University and the local running community through Gulf Winds Track Club, we have created a premiere cross country course that has something special for runners, coaches, and spectators.”

Leon County continues to invest in Apalachee Regional Park, from the recently completed installation of fiberoptic cable to a widened race course. By the end of the 2019 cross country season, the County will also add a permanent operations building, awards stage, and finish line structure.

“Apalachee Regional Park is one of the nation’s premier cross country facilities that provides a fantastic experience for our student athletes and we are pleased to continue our partnership with Leon County Government and Leon County Schools,” FHSAA Executive Director George Tomyn said.

The FHSAA championship on November 9, 2019 is one of three major cross country meets planned for Apalachee Regional Park this year. Others include the Florida State University (FSU) Cross Country Invitational / Pre-State Meet for high schools on October 11-12, 2019 and the NCAA South Regional championship meet on November 15, 2019.

“We are delighted that Apalachee Regional Park continues to draw prestigious sporting events from across the country while also standing out as a one of a kind year-round recreation area in our community.”  Said Kerri L. Post, Director of Leon County Tourism. “Blessed with topography unlike any other in Florida, we welcome visitors and residents to explore and discover all that Tallahassee-Leon County has to offer.”

In addition to cross country activities, hiking, and biking trails, Apalachee Regional Park has four multi-purpose grass fields with American football field goals, two of which are lighted. The fields are also used for soccer and lacrosse, and the park features a remote control airplane and helicopter airfield.

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About The Leon County Division of Tourism/Visit Tallahassee: The Leon County Division of Tourism (Visit Tallahassee) is the official destination marketing organization for Tallahassee-Leon County. Tourism is charged with marketing Tallahassee-Leon County nationally as a premier leisure, business, and sports destination through direct sales, advertising, public relations, sports, and visitor services. In 2018, Tallahassee-Leon County welcomed 2.4 million visitors who contributed $910 million in economic impact and accounts for more than 14,500 people employed in our community in the tourism & hospitality industry.

For more information go to VisitTallahassee.com or call toll free (800) 628-2688. Engage with Visit Tallahassee on social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @VisitTally, #iHeartTally,  #Trailahassee.