FLORENCE, Ala. (September 4, 2026) – The University of North Alabama cross country programs will host the eighth annual UNA Invitational on Saturday at McFarland Park in Florence, Ala.
The women will start at 7:45 a.m. and the men will follow at 8:20 a.m. Both programs will run a 5K for this meet.
The UNA Invitational will be the first of two home meets this season. Head coach Connor Callahan added a second home meet this season on Friday, Oct. 16. The Kennemer Classic was named in honor of current North Alabama administrator and former coach and athlete
Sherry Kennemer.
Before becoming home to the UNA cross country programs, McFarland Park was a reconstructed golf course that also serves as a disc golf course. The race will overlook the Tennessee River which includes a flat course with sweeping turns. Most parts of the course are accessible for coaches and fans to maneuver and cheer on their runners. Downtown Florence and the UNA campus are located about a mile from McFarland Park.
Last season, the men's team took home the crown with 51 total points.
Brian Bett successfully completed the two-peat, winning the second UNA Invitational of his career with a time of 24:31.33. Other top 10 finishers were
Vincent Chepkwony (third) and
Aidan Shannon (ninth) — both returning to run for the Lions this season.
Jack Gruber and
Brent Lyons helped round out the scoring five with times of 25:51.59 and 26:16.48.
The women finished fifth last season with a total of 123 points.
Sandra Maiyo made her UNA debut and took home the crown with a time of 17:35.01. Maiyo had total domination over this course last year beating her closest opponent by 40 seconds. Other runners to look forward to this season are returners
Audrey Becker and twin racers
Savannah Williams and
Taylor Williams. Newcomers
Alexis Renn and
Lillie Meeks look to add to the Lions' success this season, as well.
The men's team brings back 12 returners and adds 17 new runners, while the women's team returns seven and brings in 10 newcomers.
After this weekend, the Lions will race again Friday, Sept. 18 at the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Ala. The meet will be hosted by Jacksonville State at the John Hunt Park.
For more information on the eighth 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.
