Leon County to Host Amateur Athletic Union Cross-Country & Racewalk National Championship

Leon County to Host Amateur Athletic Union Cross-Country & Racewalk National Championship

Leon County will host the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Cross-Country National Championship at Apalachee Regional Park on Dec. 5, 2020. The event will be held with health and safety guidelines in place and is expected to bring over 4,500 runners, coaches and spectators from across the country into Leon County, with an estimated economic impact of over $2.6 million. The event was first held in Leon County in 2016.

Additionally, AAU will host the first ever AAU Racewalk National Championship for juniors, open and master racewalkers of all skill levels on a 1-kilometer loop USATF-certified course. The inaugural racewalk includes multiple championship distances. Racewalking is a long-distance foot race where competitors must always keep one foot in contact with the ground. A free, educational racewalking clinic will be held at Apalachee Regional Park on Friday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. and is open to all skill levels and ages as well as officials interested in learning to judge the sport.

To help showcase local restaurants and encourage attendees to explore the community, the Division of Tourism has partnered with Tallahassee Foodies to offer deals and discounts at area restaurants to all AAU race attendees, coaches and families.

Requests for interviews with County officials via Zoom or on-site with race directors can be made by contacting Renee Jones at Renee.Jones@VisitTallahassee.com/(850) 606-2319 or arranged on-site during the race. Media must adhere to on-site safety protocols and a media tent will be available on-site.

Race time are listed below, with the official awards ceremony for each age group taking place 30 minutes after the conclusion of their race. 

For more information, check out VisitTallahasseeSports.com.

2020 AAU Cross-Country Race Schedule on Saturday, December 5
8:30 a.m.    National Anthem	12:20 p.m.      9-10 Girls 3K
8:40 a.m.    17-18 Girls 5K (wave 1)	12:50 p.m.      9-10 Boys 3K
9 a.m.         17-18 Girl 5K (wave 2)	1:20 p.m.        7-8 Girls 2K
9:30 a.m.   17-18 Boy 5K (wave 1)	1:40 p.m.        7-8 Boys 2K
9:50 a.m.   17-18 Boys 5K (wave 2)	2 p.m.              6 & Under Girls and Boys (combined) 1K
10:50 a.m. 13-14 Boys 4K	2:15 p.m.         Parents/Coaches Run 3K
11:20 a.m.  11-12 Girls 3K	2:30 p.m.         Open/Masters Run 5K
11:50 a.m.   11-12 Boys 3K	3 p.m.              Racewalk Championships Begin

 

 

###

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. Named as one of Southern Living’s top 10 Cities of the South, in 2019, Tallahassee-Leon County welcomed 2.4 million visitors who contributed $1.04 billion in economic impact and accounts for more than 16,150 people employed in our community in the tourism & hospitality industry. For more information, go to VisitTallahassee.com or call toll free (800) 628-2866. Engage with Visit Tallahassee on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #iHeartTally and #Trailahassee.

About the AAU: The AAU was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sports. During its early years, the AAU served as a leader in international sport representing the U.S. in the international sports federations. The AAU worked closely with the Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic Games. After the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, the AAU has focused its efforts into providing sports programs for all participants of all ages beginning at the grassroots level. The philosophy of "Sports for All, Forever," is shared by nearly 700,000 participants and over 150,000 volunteers. More about AAU