NEW HAVEN, Conn. (July 27, 2025) – Georgian Court University will host the 2026 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country Championship meets. The races will be held at Ocean County Park in Lakewood, N.J., on Sunday, November 8.

Ocean County Park will be home to the CACC Cross-Country Championships for the first time, with Georgian Court serving as the host institution for the initial occasion as well. This year will mark just the third time since 2000 that the conference’s championship races have not been held at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia, Pa.

The OCP course is one of the most prominent cross-country venues in New Jersey. Primarily flat and spectator-friendly, the course traverses mostly grass with some steps on asphalt. It loops through scenic pine trees and open fields.

On November 8, the men’s 8,000-meter race will be contested at 9 a.m. The women’s 5,000-meter race will take place at 10 a.m. An awards ceremony will immediately follow. The Thomas Jefferson University men won the 2025 title, while the Ram women are three-time defending champions. Last year’s individual winners were Wilmington University’s Julian Jones on the men’s side and Olivia Grahn of the Jefferson women.

The CACC Network will provide live coverage of the event and the awards ceremony.

2026 CACC CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP FAST FACTS
Dates: Sunday, November 8
Host: Georgian Court University
Site: Ocean County Park, Lakewood, N.J.
Format: Men’s 8K race at 9 a.m.; Women’s 5K race at 10 a.m.
Admission: Free
Defending Men’s Champion: Thomas Jefferson University
Defending Women’s Champion: Thomas Jefferson University
Live Coverage: caccnetwork.com

Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 21 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 18 sports – seven for men, 10 for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.