Andrew Schultz (left) and Edwin Kiprop (right) are two of the Liberty men's cross country team's top returnees in 2026.
Liberty Announces 2026 XC Schedule
6/29/2026 1:49:00 PM | Cross Country
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Liberty announced its 2026 men's and women's cross country schedule today, including meets in five different states (Alabama, Indiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and South Carolina).
Sept. 4 – Eye Opener (Spartanburg, S.C.)
The Flames will open their season at Milliken Research Park for the second time in four years, enabling them to preview the course for the 2026 NCAA Division I Southeast Regional Championships. Tristian Merchant raced to the men's 8K individual title at the 2023 Eye Opener, leading the Flames to the men's team championship.
Sept. 18 – adidas XC Challenge (Cary, N.C.)
Liberty will race at the adidas XC Challenge at the WakeMed Soccer Park for the third year in a row. The men's squad took home the 2024 team title and finished second in Cary a year ago.
Oct. 2 – Paul Short Run (Bethlehem, Pa.)
For the first time since 2017, Liberty will take its full men's and women's squads to the Goodman Campus Cross Country Course for the 52nd Paul Short Run. The last five times the Liberty men's squad has raced in Bethlehem (2004, 2008, 2010, 2017 and 2023), its top men's individual competitor has finished inside the top five and later advanced to that year's NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. The list includes Josh McDougal – 2004 champion, Sam Chelanga – 2008 champion and 2010 champion, Azaria Kirwa – 2017 runner-up and Nicholas Kiprotich – 2023 fourth place.
Oct. 16 – Under Armour Pre-National Invitational (Terre Haute, Ind.)
The Flames and Lady Flames will make their annual trek to the Pre-Nationals event, taking them to the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Ind., for the first time since 2019.
Oct. 31 – Conference USA Cross Country Championships (Huntsville, Ala.)
For the second straight year and the third time in five seasons, Liberty will race for cross country conference titles at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala. Both Allie Zealand (women's individual) and the Lady Flames will look to defend their dominating CUSA championships from 2025.
Nov. 13 – NCAA Division I Southeast Regional Championships (Spartanburg, S.C.)
The NCAA Division I Southeast Regional Championships will head back to the Milliken Research Park for the first time since 2023. Nicholas Kiprotich came in 17th in Spartanburg in 2023, earning a trip to the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships.
Nov. 21 – NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships (Terre Haute, Ind.)
The NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships will take place at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Ind., for the 14th time overall but the first since 2019. All three of Liberty's NCAA Division I men's individual titles have been won in Terre Haute, including Josh McDougal in 2007 and Sam Chelanga in 2009 and 2010.
Sept. 4 – Eye Opener (Spartanburg, S.C.)
The Flames will open their season at Milliken Research Park for the second time in four years, enabling them to preview the course for the 2026 NCAA Division I Southeast Regional Championships. Tristian Merchant raced to the men's 8K individual title at the 2023 Eye Opener, leading the Flames to the men's team championship.
Sept. 18 – adidas XC Challenge (Cary, N.C.)
Liberty will race at the adidas XC Challenge at the WakeMed Soccer Park for the third year in a row. The men's squad took home the 2024 team title and finished second in Cary a year ago.
Oct. 2 – Paul Short Run (Bethlehem, Pa.)
For the first time since 2017, Liberty will take its full men's and women's squads to the Goodman Campus Cross Country Course for the 52nd Paul Short Run. The last five times the Liberty men's squad has raced in Bethlehem (2004, 2008, 2010, 2017 and 2023), its top men's individual competitor has finished inside the top five and later advanced to that year's NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. The list includes Josh McDougal – 2004 champion, Sam Chelanga – 2008 champion and 2010 champion, Azaria Kirwa – 2017 runner-up and Nicholas Kiprotich – 2023 fourth place.
Oct. 16 – Under Armour Pre-National Invitational (Terre Haute, Ind.)
The Flames and Lady Flames will make their annual trek to the Pre-Nationals event, taking them to the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Ind., for the first time since 2019.
Oct. 31 – Conference USA Cross Country Championships (Huntsville, Ala.)
For the second straight year and the third time in five seasons, Liberty will race for cross country conference titles at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala. Both Allie Zealand (women's individual) and the Lady Flames will look to defend their dominating CUSA championships from 2025.
Nov. 13 – NCAA Division I Southeast Regional Championships (Spartanburg, S.C.)
The NCAA Division I Southeast Regional Championships will head back to the Milliken Research Park for the first time since 2023. Nicholas Kiprotich came in 17th in Spartanburg in 2023, earning a trip to the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships.
Nov. 21 – NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships (Terre Haute, Ind.)
The NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships will take place at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Ind., for the 14th time overall but the first since 2019. All three of Liberty's NCAA Division I men's individual titles have been won in Terre Haute, including Josh McDougal in 2007 and Sam Chelanga in 2009 and 2010.
Players Mentioned
Friday, June 05
Wednesday, June 03
Thursday, May 21
Thursday, January 29