Flyer 5K Program  |  Flyer 5K Website

DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton men’s and women’s cross country teams open the 2010 season this Saturday, Sept. 4 at the 12th Annual Meijer Flyer 5K Challenge.

"I just cannot wait for Saturday morning, to get them out on the course to race and compete because that is what we have been training for,” Dayton women’s cross country coach Sarah Hinkley.

UD’s only home meet of the season, the Flyer 5K will be held at Indian Riffle Park at the Kettering, Ohio Recreation Complex.

“It is very meaningful to our runners and helpful in their performance to have fans out there,” said UD men’s cross country coach Rich Davis. “It’s the only chance for our student athletes to perform in front of our home crowd on our home course.”

The men’s 5,000-meter race kicks off the Challenge at 10:45 a.m. The field includes Dayton, IUPUI, Miami, Morehead State, Ohio Northern, Ohio Valley, Rio Grande, Shawnee State, Thomas More, Urbana, Wittenberg and Wright State.

Dayton won the Flyer 5K men’s race last season and UD’s Chris Lemon broke the course record, crossing the finish line in a time of 14:56. The Flyers actually took the top three spots and finished with 23 points, ahead of Miami’s 34.

“Our goal is to defend our title from last year and show that we are an improved team,” said Davis. “That is not going to be an easy task because this is a very competitive field; among the field is Miami, which has a strong team and Shawnee State, which is ranked No. 3 in the nation.”

The women’s race will follow at approximately 11:15 a.m. The women’s field includes Dayton, Cedarville, Cleveland State, IUPUI, Miami, Morehead State, Ohio Northern, Ohio Valley, Rio Grande, Shawnee State, Thomas More, Urbana, Wittenberg and Wright State.

Miami is the defending champion of the women’s Flyer 5K, but Dayton senior Maureen Bulgrin was crowned the individual champion after finishing in a course-record time of 18:03. Fellow senior Liz Coorey finished second in a time of 18:08. The RedHawks edged UD by three points, 29-32.

“I want the team to have a strong season and build upon the success of this program,” said Hinkley. “I want them to be successful and have memories as a team. It's a great group – I feel like I've inherited something special."

Following the races there will be an awards ceremony and a picnic lunch at noon.