Gans Creek Cross Country Course, home of the Missouri Tigers, shines as one of the nation’s best collegiate courses
Since its opening, the Gans Creek Cross Country Course has impressed many with its numerous modern features and well kept track, among many other things.
At the Gans Creek Cross Country Course, every race starts off pretty simple, as teams sprint down a very wide valley of land. However, the level of difficulty quickly increases, as runners must make their way up a difficult incline before turning into a loop for the first kilometer.
After that, runners veer right and do another loop, this time with many ups and downs that may throw runners off their game. Runners then get one more open sprint before they have completed one three-kilometer cycle around the course. The course is adaptable and can be modified and arranged in a way that allows different race lengths to take place within its entirety.
Missouri senior cross country runner Trevor Peimann runs in the men’s DI 8k race at the Gans Creek Classic on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia Missouri. Peimann ended the race in 249th place.
With Gans Creek nearby, Missouri cross country has called it home since 2019. The course is outfitted with many amenities that have pleased both the Missouri cross country staff and runners alike. The course features a modern start and finish area along with a commentator booth, awards podium and an athlete stage and village.
The area also includes numerous bathrooms and live footage screens, along with an in-progress hospitality and race headquarters office.
At the Gans Creek Classic in September, teams and fans from all around the country came and got a look at the improved facility. The Tigers also impressed out on the course, with the men’s team placing No. 4 and the women’s at No. 10.
Junior Ryder James finished No. 10 overall, the highest of any Tiger racer at their home course.
“We have a really amazing course – in my opinion it’s a top three course in the nation,” James said. “It’s really good to have a great day as a team, everybody who came out to support, they want to see us do good. And I think our guys delivered today.”
Gans Creek was selected as the location for the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships, as well as the 2024, 2027 and 2030 NAIA Men’s and Women’s Cross Country National Championships. The course already hosted the 2021 Cross Country SEC championships and hosts the MSHSSA Cross Country Championships.
This course is a great example of the development of the Missouri Cross Country team, as both the team and course continue to be a symbol of the university and community.
Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com
Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com