COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Runners of every ability (including no ability to run whatsoever), especially kids, will have a rare opportunity Friday evening to "run" with members of the Tennessee Tech cross country teams, who hail from across the nation and around the world. It's a special jog around Dogwood Park with the Golden Eagles as part of the TTU Centennial Community Kickoff event.
As part of the day's activities at Dogwood Park, coach Wayne Angel's men's and women's cross country teams will participate Friday evening at approximately 6 p.m. Community members are encouraged to meet and visit with the team members, who will be available near the stage. The current rosters of Tech runners come to Cookeville from California, Oregon, Tennessee, Georgia, plus Kenya and South Africa.
"Our kids are pretty excited about the opportunity to meet some of the folks from Cookeville and the region," Angel said. "They have been here only for about a month, training, going to classes, and running, and they haven't had many chances yet to get out into the community or meet people.
"I hope everyone who attends the Centennial event will have a chance to take a few minutes to visit with our kids," he said.
The highlight of the team's appearance at the event will be an easy "run" around the perimeter of the park, a slow-paced jog in which community members -- especially kids -- can run with the Golden Eagles.
"We're hoping that kids will come out and meet our runners, become friends with them and learn a little bit about them and where they come from," Angel said. "Then, they'll run with their new friends around the park. It's a chance for kids to make a lifelong memory."
Angel stressed that the run is not limited to kids. Runners (and non-runners who want to be able to say the ran with the Golden Eagles) are all invited to particpate.
Activities will take place throughout the evening at Dogwood Park as Tech's Centennial Celebration reaches out to the Cookeville Community. The Golden Eagles won't be able to stick around too long, however. They are scheduled to depart very early Saturday morning to run in the Commodore Classic crountry meet hosted by Vanderbilt. The meet is Saturday a7 9 a.m. in Percy Warner Park in Nashville.