Oct. 3, 2001

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB women's cross country team plays host Saturday, Oct. 6 to the Pre-District 9 Invitational at the Magic City Running Park. The event includes both men's and women's races and is a precursor to the NCAA South Regional Championship for the athletes to preview the running course.

The women's competition is a 6K run beginning at 9 a.m. while the men's competition is an 8K run beginning at 9:45 a.m.

Men's teams in the event include Alabama, Belmont, Birmingham Southern, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia State, Jacksonville State, MTSU, Ole Miss, Samford, UTC, Vanderbilt, West Georgia State and Western Kentucky.

Women's teams competing include Alabama, Birmingham Southern, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia State, Jacksonville State, MTSU, Ole Miss, Samford, Southern Miss, Vanderbilt, West Georgia State, Western Kentucky and host UAB.

The Pre-District 9 invitational will precede the NCAA South Regional Championship to be held on Nov. 10 at the same location.

Admission to the event is free.

Directions to Magic City Running Course from 65 north or south: Take the Greensprings Lane exit, travelling south on 65 turn right, travelling north on 65 turn left. Take Greensprings Lane to Martin Luther King Blvd. (3 lights from 65S, 4 lights from 65N), and turn left at the light. You will cross train tracks and at the first light, turn right onto Mayfield Ave. Proceed five streets and turn left onto 14th street SW. Then veer right onto Matt Leonard Drive. Go three stop signs and turn right at the third stop sign onto 16th Way SW. That road will fork, at the fork veer right and then turn right onto Flora Street. Follow Flora Street to parking at the bottom of the hill. Signs will direct you.

For more information on either event, please call the UAB sports information office at (205) 934-0722.