Nights of Thunder Cross Country Fest

Chaires, United States • 11-12 Sep 2026

Event Overview

The Nights of Thunder Cross Country Fest is a two-day running event held at Apalachee Regional XC Park in Tallahassee, Florida. This venue is recognized as a world-class cross country course and serves as the official site for the Florida HS State XC Championships. The facility has also hosted international competitions, including the NJCAA XC Championships and the World Athletics XC Championships.

The event features a festival atmosphere with multiple races taking place under stadium lighting during the evening. Participation is open to diverse groups, ranging from middle school athletes to collegiate teams and individual participants in the open division.

Race Categories

The festival offers several distances and divisions for competitive and recreational runners:

  • 3K for Middle School boys and girls.
  • 5K for High School Varsity and Junior Varsity divisions.
  • 5K for the College Women's division and the Open Division heat.
  • 8K for the College Men's division.

Venue Facilities

The competition takes place at a dedicated cross country facility located at 7550 Apalachee Parkway. The venue provides reserved team areas for groups, with options available for tent and amenity rentals. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

Race information

8 km
College Mens 8k
5 km
Varsity Girls 5k
5 km
College Womens 5k
5 km
Open Division 5k
5 km
Varsity Boys 5k
Middle School Girls 3k
Middle School Boys 3k
Junior Varsity Boys 5k
Junior Varsity Girls 5k
Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
Trail runs nearby

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Experience a four race trail series across Tallahassee featuring single track paths and technical terrain. Compete for championship points in distances ranging from five to six miles through scenic state parks and hammocks.

Run a USATF certified 5K cross country course through the historic grounds of Pebble Hill Plantation. This hilly race features varied terrain and supports the preservation of the museum house and estate.