LEON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — Leon County’s Apalachee Regional Park has been selected to host the 2022 National Junior College Athletic Association Division I and Division II Men's and Women's Cross-Country Championships.
The event is anticipated to bring 1,000 athletes and coaches to Leon County leading to over $1.5 million in economic impact. The last time the event was held in Leon County was in 1973 at the Florida State University Seminole Golf Course.
“With recent investments at Apalachee Regional Park, our facility continues to be in high demand among national athletic associations,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Bryan Desloge. “We look forward to a hopeful future past the COVID-19 pandemic when we can welcome fans, coaches, and student-athletes to experience the most memorable championship of their lives.
Known for hosting world class cross-country events for various organizations including the National College Athletic Association, Florida High School Athletic Association, United States Track and Field, the Atlantic Coast Conference and set to the host the NCAA cross-country National Championships in 2021, Apalachee Regional Park continues to be a premier cross-country venture on the national stage.
“The success of Leon County’s Apalachee Regional Park is built on strong community partnerships,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “From the County’s work with Tallahassee Community College, Florida State University and the local running community through Gulf Winds Track Club, we have created a premiere cross country course that continues to drive sports tourism here in Leon County.”
Featuring various course and distance options through rolling hills, lowlands, and pine forests, the 100 plus acre park can host thousands of runners and visitors at some of the nation’s largest sporting events.
Also, when the cross country trail is not being used for a running event, it is open to the general public for hiking, running, and biking.
“We are delighted that Apalachee Regional Park continues to draw prestigious sporting events from across the country while also standing out as a one of a kind year-round recreation area in our community,” said Kerri L. Post, Director of Leon County Division of Tourism. “Blessed with topography unlike any other in Florida, we welcome visitors and residents to explore and discover all that Tallahassee-Leon County has to offer.”
In addition to cross country activities, hiking, and biking trails, Apalachee Regional Park has four multi-purpose grass fields with American football field goals, two of which are lighted.
The fields are also used for soccer and lacrosse, and the park features a remote control airplane and helicopter airfield.
