Cross County Town, U.S.A.

​On your marks. Get set. GO! ... to Lavern Gibson Champion Cross Country Course ...
 
As summertime comes to a close, Terre Haute has entered one of the most exciting times of year in the Wabash Valley: cross-country season!
 
Terre Haute, accurately nicknamed Cross Country Town USA, expects to welcome over 60,000 visitors this fall alone for the cross-country season.
 
The renowned LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course will be the site of many exciting events throughout the 2023-24 season.
 
September is a jam-packed month on the course, starting the first weekend with the DIII Invitational and the Hometown Savings Bank State Preview. If you’re more of a night owl, plan to be at the starting line at 8 p.m. on September 29 for the Twilight College Division night race along with the Nike XC Town Twilight race on September 30 at 6 p.m.
 
Enjoy the autumn season in Terre Haute while watching the IHSAA Sectional and State Finals Championships in October, and don’t miss the Nike Cross Regional Midwest Championships on November 12.
 
Known as one of the best courses in the nation, LaVern Gibson has been the home of a number of significant cross-country events since its creation in the summer of 1995. The NCAA Championship took place at the course eight consecutive years from 2004 to 2011, and again in 2013, 2014 and 2016. In fact, Indiana State University has hosted the NCAA Women’s Cross-Country Championships more times than any other school.
 
Cross country is more than just a sport here in the Wabash Valley - it’s a way of life. This exciting sport showcases the athletes’ hard work and dedication while also bringing the community together.
 
“You know, when you see someone pour their heart and soul into anything, you respect it. Through the years, I've really come to love that about cross country,” said Patterson. “And it doesn't matter if they're the first-place finisher or the last place, they're still giving it everything they have."
 
We can’t wait to see you in Terre Haute cheering on your favorite teams this season, not only at LaVern but at all the sports and recreation spots that Terre Haute has to offer.
 
To see a compiled list of all sports and recreation offerings in Terre Haute, visit www.terrehaute.com/sports.html and for more information on cross county events, visit www.laverngibson.com.