FLORENCE, Ala. (September 4, 2025) – The University of North Alabama cross country programs host the annual UNA Invitational on Friday, Sept. 5 at McFarland Park in Florence, Ala. The men's 8K race begins at 7:45 a.m. and the women's 5k race begins at 8:30 a.m. 

This is the only home invitational for the season, as North Alabama will honor its seniors after the race concludes. The event is free of charge and open to the public.

McFarland Park's course is a reconstructed golf course that also serves as a disc golf course when not used by the cross country programs. The course overlooks the Tennessee River that includes a flat, fast course with sweeping turns, many times resulting in personal records. Most parts of the course are maneuverable for coaches and fans alike to access the meet. McFarland is located about a mile from downtown Florence.

Fifteen teams are represented in both races, including UAH, Auburn-Montgomery, Calhoun Community College, Enterprise State Community College, Jefferson State Community College, Marion Military Institute, Montevallo, North Alabama, Northwest-Shoals Community College, Union College, UT Southern, Wallace Community College, Wallace State, West Alabama and West Florida. There will also be unattached runners that compete this weekend. 

Last season, the North Alabama men's team finished second of nine teams that competed. Brian Bett took home the individual crown with a time of 24:08.14 – a program record at that time. Former Lion Adam Nipper placed eighth, while Vincent Chepkwony and Brent Lyons finished ninth and 10th on the home course, respectively. 

The women's team finished second, while former Lion Gracie Mathews paved the way as she finished in third with a time of 18:26.78. North Alabama's top five runners for the women all finished top-15 as Laura Mobley, Ashlyn Anderson, Aaliyah Charo and Camille Etheridge finished seventh, 11th, 12th and 14th, respectively. 

North Alabama is coming off a historic 2024 season as Bett became the first ever ASUN Conference individual champion in program history. This started a domino effect for the athletic department in year seven as Men's Basketball won the regular season championship and Men's Tennis secured the first team ASUN Conference championship.

Bett won four ASUN Freshman of the Week awards, three Runner of the Week awards, named to the South All-Region team, ASUN All-Freshman Team and First Team All-ASUN. He was awarded the ASUN Runner and Freshman of the Year awards to go alongside those aforementioned honors.

There are 11 new runners for North Alabama with eight on the men's side and three on the women's side. Along with the return of Etheridge, eyes are on the Middle Tennessee State transfer Sandra Maiyo to make an immediate impact for the Lions.

After this weekend, the Lions travel to the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Ala. hosted by Jacksonville State at John Hunt Park. The meet takes place next Friday, Sept. 12.

For more information on the seventh annual UNA Invitational, click here. 

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.