FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo men’s and women’s cross country teams will kick off their season Aug. 31 by hosting the second annual Early Bird Classic, which will pair a collegiate race with a high school and a middle school race.

The event will include more than 1,000 student-athletes across all three levels.

“It’s an honor to have that many athletes here,” said Montevallo men’s and women’s cross country coach Tommy Barksdale. “We’re very proud to show off our course.”

The collegiate teams open the event Friday night, Aug. 31, with a 5K race at the Falcons’ home course. Birmingham-Southern College and Stillman College will join Montevallo for the first race of the season.

The women’s race will begin at 6:30 p.m. The men’s race will follow at 7 p.m.

The event will continue Saturday morning, Sept. 1, with a high school race and a middle school race.

Twenty-two schools will compete in the high school race, including Ashville, Briarwood Christian, Benjamin Russell, Catholic-Montgomery, Hewitt-Trussville, Holtville, Holy Spirit Catholic, Homewood, Hoover, John Carroll Catholic, McAdory, Mountain Brook, Opelika, Oxford, Pelham, Pell City, Prattville, Shelby County, Sipsey Valley, Thompson, Vestavia Hills and the Westminster School at Oak Mountain.

The 5K high school race will be divided into two separate divisions. The Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 4A-6A girls’ race will begin at 9:20 a.m., with the boys’ race beginning at 10 a.m.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 1A-3A girls’ race will begin at 10:40 a.m., followed by the boys’ race at 11:10 a.m.

Eight schools will compete in the 3K middle school race, including Helena, John Carroll Catholic, Liberty Park, Oak Mountain, Opelika, Riverchase, Simmons and Sipsey Valley.

The middle school girls’ race will begin at 8 a.m., followed by the boys’ race at 8:40 a.m.