Stan Johnson, Meet Director of the Jesse Owens Classic, shared with me a little about the venue and what the meet means to the community. Stan has been the backbone of this event and others hosted at the Oakville Indian Mounds for over 20 years. Cross Country in the state of Alabama and the Southeast wouldn't be the same without the love he has poured into this venue and meet!
We are humbled and excited to host 210 cross country teams from the southeast this upcoming Saturday @ the Jesse Owens Classic in Oakville Alabama! This year's competition looks outstanding as in year's past! The Jesse Owens Runners' Club Inc embraces this event as it trends toward one of the largest events in our community/county. We appreciate all who are making tremendous efforts to race in our prestigious race, especially those who were affected by the recent hurricane, thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. We are investing many hours to help make the 2024 Jesse Owens Classic a special xc race for everyone! - Stan Johnson
This year, the 26th Annual Jesse Owens Classic returns to the scenic Oakville Indian Mounds, a venue deeply intertwined with the history of Alabama high school sports. Since 2002, it has served as the host site for the AHSAA State Meet and has welcomed countless college conference championships and postseason events. The course has remained largely unchanged in over two decades, apart from upgrades funded by the numerous events that bring athletes from across the nation to compete just minutes away from the birthplace of one of the greatest Olympic athletes, Jesse Owens.
This year's event will feature over 200 schools from across the Southeast, with the tradition of attracting top high school talent. Past competitors include Alabama legend and course record holder Ethan Edgeworth and girl's course record holder Tennessee's Jenna Hutchins, who is also the the unofficial national record holder for the girls' cross country 5K.
The forecast promises dry conditions, setting the stage for a fast day on the course. While temperatures may rise for the later races, they're expected to be cooler than what many athletes have been training in, potentially contributing to some exciting performances.
As we celebrate another year of this iconic event, it's a testament to both the enduring legacy of Jesse Owens and the continued importance of this cross-country course to the state of Alabama and the sport.
