JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Cross Country kicks off the 2025 campaign on Friday, Aug. 29, as the Wildcats participate in the Florida Intercollegiate Cross Country Invitational hosted by North Florida at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida.
 
The women's race is scheduled to be run as a 5k beginning at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, the men's event will be an 8k and begin at 7:30 p.m.
 
Bethune-Cookman last competed in Jacksonville in 2024, when the men and women turned in seventh place finishes, respectively, in the Duval 5k Classic, also hosted by North Florida at Cecil Field. The Maroon and Gold ended the 2024 season with the men's side claiming fourth place in the end-of-year SWAC Championships in Tallahassee, Florida. Additionally, the women took eighth place in the race.
 
On the men's side, Garon Jackson – B-CU Director of Track & Field / Cross Country, brings back Victor Kibet who won the 2024 SWAC Individual Cross Country Champion. The Cats also add Andrew Kiplagat to the roster from Chebara, Kenya.
 
For the women, Valencia Butler returns after leading the Cats in scoring at the SWAC Championship a season ago, turning in a 20th place finish overall. Nyidjah Ives, a senior from Kissimmee, Florida, is also back.
 
Live timing of the Florida Intercollegiate Invitational can be accessed through Half-Mile Timing by clicking here.
 
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