CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi College is set to welcome 32 collegiate programs from across the South this Friday, October 17, for the annual Watson Collegiate Cross Country Classic at Choctaw Trails in Jackson. The meet promises a competitive and fast-paced morning on one of the region's premier cross country venues.

The men's 8K race will begin at 8 a.m., followed by the women's 6K at 8:45 a.m. The event will be held at Choctaw Trails, located at 5992 McRaven Road in Jackson. A full course map is available at gochoctaws.com.

This year's Watson Classic will feature a deep and diverse field of programs, including Alcorn State, Delta State, Jackson State, Louisiana Tech, Millsaps, Mississippi Valley State, Mississippi University for Women, William Carey, Belhaven, Blue Mountain Christian, Texas Lutheran, Texas A&M–Commerce, Southeastern Louisiana, Northwestern State, Union (Tenn.), University of Mobile, University of Mary Hardin–Baylor, Ozarks, Huntingdon, and several others.

Fans can follow along with live results provided by XPRESS Timing at live.xpresstiming.com/meets/58118. Live split marks will be available at the 3K and 5K checkpoints during the men's race and at the 3K mark for the women's race.

Admission is free, and spectators are encouraged to come out and enjoy a morning of collegiate cross country competition and community atmosphere at Choctaw Trails.

With more than 30 teams entered and ideal October running conditions expected, the Watson Classic is once again shaping up to be one of the highlight meets of the cross country season.