TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Leon County is gearing up for the World Athletics Cross Country Championship as the day the race takes place in the Tallahassee area approaches.
According to a Leon County press release, over 450 of the world’s top runners will compete in five championship races, including the United States, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Spain and Great Britain.
In a press conference held Friday at noon, a World Athletics official said on the visa denials for some athletes, “The world is a complicated place. Cross-country can provide an opportunity to come together. The US Olympic Committee and local authorities have been helpful.”
Leon County Commissioner Christian Caban said in a press release that Tallahassee was “honored to host” and that the race is expected to bring $4 million in economic impact.
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The World Athletics president proclaimed Tallahassee the “cross country capital of the world,” a remarkable turnaround for Apalachee Regional Park, which used to be a landfill.
Leon County Commissioner Vincent S. Long said in the press release that the county’s vision for the park’s renovations paid off. “Over the past 15 years, Leon County transformed an inactive landfill into a premier cross-country venue that has hosted more than 75 championship events, welcomed more than 80,000 athletes, and generated over $84 million in direct visitor spending.”
More than 5,000 tickets have already been sold to spectators who are coming from all 50 states and several other countries.
Taylor Wheaton, co-chair and senior sports sales director for Visit Tallahassee, said in the press release that the event advances Leon County’s sports tourism portfolio. “The world is literally watching Tallahassee this weekend.”
There is also a World Fun Run: Florida Edition that will support the Leon County Schools’ track and cross-country programs, per the county. The Florida A&M University Marching 100 is expected to perform the national anthem.
The race is expected to begin at 9:45 a.m. with gates opening at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday at Apalachee Regional Park.
Tune in to Eyewitness News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. for the full story. This article will also be updated this evening with all the details.
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