The best runners in the American Southwest Conference will come to The University of Texas at Tyler Saturday for the ASC Cross Country Championships. UT Tyler will also open its new Wellness Trail to mark the event.

McMurry, Louisiana College, Concordia, Mississippi College, Schreiner, Ozarks, Sul Ross, UT Dallas, and East Texas Baptist are all sending their men’s and women’s teams, while Texas Lutheran will bring their women’s team.

In UT Tyler’s second year under head coach Bob Hepler, the Patriots are performing at an all-time record pace. The Patriots men’s team has won four races so far this season, with four different runners earning conference Runner of the Week honors. The women’s team has won one race, and Charity Bolling (SR/Stephenville, TX). Both programs have also set UT Tyler records this season for fastest times in the 6K and 8K.

The event begins at 7 a.m. with a mountain bike race, followed by the National Anthem and Wellness Trail Grand Opening ceremonies at 7:50. The women’s 6K starts at 8 a.m, and the men’s 8K at 8:45 a.m., followed by the awards ceremonies an hour later.

The Championships coincide with the opening of the Wellness Trail, and Hepler says it’s a good weekend for UT to showcase their recent developments.

“We’ll be able to highlight our facility and our program this weekend,” Hepler says. “It’s a big deal to be able to show off our progress.”