ACC Cross Country Championships 2025
The excitement is building as the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Cross Country Championships head to Louisville, Kentucky, where some of the nation’s top collegiate runners will battle for conference supremacy. The championships are scheduled for October 31, 2025, at the renowned E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park, a venue celebrated for its fast yet challenging course and history of hosting national-level competitions.
A Return to Familiar Ground
This will be the second time the University of Louisville has hosted the ACC Cross Country Championships, following a successful event in 2017. Louisville’s cross-country program has steadily grown in prominence, and bringing the championships back to their home turf highlights the city’s strong reputation as a hub for distance running.
“Hosting the ACC Championships again is a tremendous honor for our program and for the city of Louisville,” said head coach Dale Cowper in a university statement. “E.P. ‘Tom’ Sawyer State Park has become one of the premier cross-country venues in the country, and we’re excited to welcome the best teams in the ACC back to Kentucky.”
The Course and Competition
The meet will feature both men’s and women’s races, traditionally contested over 8 kilometers and 6 kilometers, respectively. The course at Sawyer Park is known for its wide starting lanes, rolling terrain, and spectator-friendly layout—factors that often make for thrilling finishes.
The ACC is one of the most competitive conferences in collegiate cross country. Programs such as NC State, Notre Dame, Virginia, and Syracuse have consistently ranked among the nation’s elite. In 2024, nine ACC women’s teams appeared in the USTFCCCA national top 30 rankings, with NC State continuing its remarkable dominance in the women’s division. On the men’s side, Notre Dame and Syracuse remain perennial powerhouses, known for producing All-Americans and national contenders.
With such a deep field, the 2025 championships promise high-caliber racing and potential upsets.
More Than a Race
For many athletes, the ACC Championships represent not just a battle for conference titles but also a crucial stepping stone toward the NCAA Regionals and National Championships. Strong performances in Louisville could determine qualification and momentum heading into November’s postseason races.
Beyond athletics, hosting the event is a boost for the local community. The meet attracts hundreds of athletes, coaches, and spectators, contributing to tourism and showcasing Louisville’s commitment to collegiate sports excellence. The city has previously hosted major competitions, including the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 2015 and 2017.
Looking Ahead
As October approaches, teams across the conference are sharpening their lineups and studying the course. Louisville’s home advantage, the fast layout, and the seasonal autumn weather promise an exciting and unpredictable championship day.
The stage is set. On October 31, the rolling fields of E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park will echo with the sound of spikes on grass, cheers from the sidelines, and the pursuit of ACC glory. Whether it’s another chapter in NC State’s dominance or a breakout win from a rising team, one thing is certain—the 2025 ACC Cross Country Championships will be one to remember.