FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The third annual Early Bird Classic, which kicks off the high school and middle school cross country season in the state of Alabama each year, is set for Aug. 31 on the University of Montevallo campus.

More than 1,000 participants from 33 high schools and middle schools across the state will converge on campus this weekend.

“The event is continuing to grow,” said Montevallo men’s and women’s cross country coach Tommy Barksdale. “We’re more than excited to have everybody participating in the event. We’re looking forward to another great event this year.”

The event will get underway at 8 a.m. with the middle school girls’ 3K race, followed by the middle school boys’ 3K race at 8:40 a.m.

The high school girls’ 5K race involving teams in Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 4A-6A will begin at 9:20 a.m. The high school girls’ 5K race for teams in AHSAA Class 1A-3A will start at 10 a.m.

The high school boys’ 5K race involving teams in AHSAA Class 4A-6A is set for 10:40 a.m. The event will conclude with the high school boys’ 5K race for teams in AHSAA Class 1A-3A, which is scheduled to begin at11:20 a.m.

The top two teams in each race will receive awards, along with the top individual finisher in each race. The top 15 finishers in each race will receive an Early Bird Classic dri-fit shirt.

Full Moon Bar-B-Que will have breakfast, lunch and snack items for sale during the event, along with coffee and sports drinks.

Parking for spectators is available immediately adjacent to College Drive. Parking for buses and vans is available at the Alabama Traffic Safety Center located off Shelby Street.

For more information, visit MontevalloFalcons.com or AlabamaRunners.com.