Junior Olympics cross-country event returns to Hoover in 2016
USATF Alabama has been awarded the 2016 National Junior Olympics Cross-country Championship to be held at Hoover’s Veteran’s Park on Valleydale Road in Shelby County. The event, which has been held at the same location in 2010, has grown significantly in size.
The National Cross-country Championship is expected to have nearly a thousand more entries than in 2010, totaling more than 3,000 runners between the ages of 8-18 from all over the country. Attendance will include the runners plus coaches and families and fans, potentially topping 10,000.
The day-long event will be held Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016.
USATF Alabama has partnered once again with the city of Hoover, Shelby County and the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors bureau, all of whom sponsored the event in 2010.
“Bringing this exciting national competition back to Alabama reflects the National USATF confidence in the sponsors and their hospitality and the quality of the cross-country course at Veteran’s Park,” said Molly McGregor, president of USATF Alabama.
“The city of Hoover is proud to be chosen as the host site for the USATF Junior Olympics Cross-country National Championships at Veterans Park,” said Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey. “We look forward to welcoming the participants, staff and fans to the city for this prestigious event that will feature some of the most talented junior athletes in the nation. Our staff will work hard with the local organizing committee to ensure this is a memorable experience for both the athletes and attendees.”
Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock welcomed the opportunity because of the success of the 2010 Championships.
“Shelby County is extremely pleased to host the USATF National Junior Olympics. This is another exceptional national event coming to Shelby County, made possible through the collaborative effort among public and governmental entities. Shelby County and the city of Hoover’s common goal is to boost economic impact with regional and national tourism initiatives, and we expect thousands of cross-country enthusiasts to enjoy all the amenities of our area during their stay.”