For those who missed the entry deadline… We will once again be offering our always popular Last Chance / Very Late Registration on Sunday, October 15th from 10:00am to 12:00pm (noon). This is the absolute last chance to get your team in, however, there are some conditions:

• You must register in person at Mt. SAC in Heritage Hall, Kinesiology Division Offices (building 742, North West End of Hilmer Lodge Stadium)
• You will be typing in your entries.
• There is a $100 late fee that must be paid, along with regular entry fee, to be PAID IN FULL.
• CASH ONLY! No credit cards or checks accepted.

To RSVP or for questions about the Last Chance / Very Late Registration, please email byokoyama@mtsac.edu (909.274.4022 office phone day of)

Please include in the email:

1. Your name
2. Your school
3. Your cell phone number

General Information

• The Mt. SAC Invitational is a NFHS and CIF Sanctioned Event.
• All athletes entered must officially represent the school they attend
• Only a school official (coach, administrator) may register their schools team/individual through athletic.net. NO unattached or individual entries accepted and no parents may register their child without school consent.
• Pre-authorization of a credit card will be required to unlock registration.
• A school official (coach, administrator) must accompany the team/individual to the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational.

Registration Process and Information

All schools must first pre-authorize a credit card to begin the registration process. The card will not be charged until the entry deadline of Sunday, October 8. On that date, the credit card will be charged the full fees for all entries online, unless another type of payment arrangement has been made and the full amount of payment has been received in our office.

Entry Fees

• $25 for a single athlete in a single level
• $50 for two athletes in a single level
• $65 for a team of 3 or more athletes in a single level
• $450 maximum fee per school ($225 for a single-sex school)

Refund Policy
This meet will be run regardless of weather. There will be no refunds if your team does not show on meet day for any reason.

All team registration fees will be finalized and non-refundable at the close of registration on Sunday, October 8.

Check Payment Policy
If you are allowed to pay by SCHOOL/DISTRICT CHECK (no personal checks), the check for the ENTIRE AMOUNT DUE must be RECEIVED in the Mt. SAC Athletic Special Events Office by Friday, October 6th otherwise the credit card on file will be charged the ENTIRE entry fee.

Make checks payable to:
Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational

**It is imperative that the school name is somewhere on the check or in the check notes.  

Please submit payment to:
Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational Registration
1100 North Grand Avenue
Walnut, CA 91789

CHECKS MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE SPECIAL EVENTS OFFICE BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2023, OTHERWISE THE CREDIT CARD ON FILE WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE ENTIRE ENTRY FEE.  

HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION Contacts

High School Coordinator
Mark Gardner
mgardner@cnusd.k12.ca.us

General Inquiries
RunMtSAC.com Staff
Aliki Rutnam
arutnam@mtsac.edu

General Information

• The Mt. SAC Invitational is a NFHS and CIF Sanctioned Event.
• All athletes entered MUST officially represent the school they attend
• Only a school official (coach, administrator) may register their schools team/individual through athletic.net. NO unattached or individual entries accepted and no parents may register their child without proof of school consent.
• Pre-authorization of a credit card will be required to unlock registration.
• A school official (coach, administrator) must accompany the team/individual to the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational.

Registration for the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational will be on Athletic.net starting on September 1, 2025 and ending on October 12, 2025 (11:59 PM PST).

REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

• Existing teams.  Teams that have previously registered their team and have a profile on Athletic.net
  
  1. Add the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational (High School Division) to your calendar (you can use “search” to find it)
  2. Register your athletes for the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational from your team roster
• New teams.  Teams that have NEVER registered their team on Athletic.net and need to create a new team profile.
  
  1. Create a free team account on Athletic.net
     A.  Help Guide for New Coaches CLICK HERE
  2. Add the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational (High School Division) to your calendar (you can use “search” to find it)
  3. Enter your team roster
  4. Register your athletes for the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational from your team roster

Registration Fees

All schools must first pre-authorize a credit card to begin the registration process. The card will not be charged until the entry deadline of Sunday, October 12th. On that date, the credit card will be charged the full fees for all entries online.

Entry Fees

• $30 for a single athlete per gender level
• $60 for two athletes per gender level
• $90 for a team of 3 or more athletes per gender level
• $50 minimum fee 
• $600 maximum fee ($300 for a single-sex school)

Refund Policy
The meet will be run regardless of weather.  During inclement weather conditions an alternate course may be used.  There will be no refunds if your team does not show on meet day.  NO REFUNDS AFTER THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE.  

Processing Fees
A registration processing fee will be charged for ALL online credit card transactions and check payments.  

Payment Policy
All team registration fees will be charged to the registered credit card on file at the close of registration on Sunday, October 12th. Entry fees are non-refundable.

Paying By School Check

If you would like to pay by SCHOOL/DISTRICT CHECK (no personal checks).

1.  You must request the ability to pay by check from the High School Division Meet Director, Mark Gardner.  CLICK HERE TO REQUEST CHECK PAYMENT
2.  If your request is granted, you must still enter your credit card information to open registration for your team.
3.  The entry fee check (for the full amount) must be received in the Special Events Office by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2025, otherwise the credit card on file will be charged for the entire entry fee amount.
4.  Please make checks payable to:  Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational
5.  In the check notes, please put: Name of the school(s) the entry fee check is for.  VERY IMPORTANT DUE TO MULTIPLE SCHOOLS ENTERING FROM THE SAME SCHOOL DISTRICT!!!
6.  Submit payment to:

Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational Registration
1100 N Grand Avenue
Walnut, CA 91789  

Last Chance / Very Late Registration

For those who missed the late entry deadline… We will once again be offering our always popular Last Chance / Very Late Registration on Sunday, October 19th from 10:00am to 12:00pm (noon). This is the absolute last chance to get your team in with the following conditions:

• You must register in person at Mt. SAC in Heritage Hall, Kinesiology Division Offices (building 744, North West End of Hilmer Lodge Stadium).
• You will need to type in your entries into an Microsoft Excel File at the office.  To speed up the process you may bring a chip with your team information on an Excel File.  File should contain the following columns with data in the format shown in the parentheses
  –  FirstName
  –  LastName
  –  Gender (M or F)
  –  Grade (9, 10, 11, 12)
  –  Race (Freshman, Sophomore, JV, Varsity)  
• There is a $100 late fee that must be paid; along with the regular entry fee, to be PAID IN FULL.
• CASH ONLY! No credit cards or check accepted.

To RSVP or for questions about the Last Chance / Very Late Registration, please email byokoyama@mtsac.edu (909.274.4630 office phone day of)

Please include in the email:

1. Your name
2. Your school
3. Your cell phone number

Competition Levels (Boys & Girls)

• Varsity – 7 runners maximum
  • Any grade level (9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th graders)
• Junior Varsity – 10 runners maximum
  • A minimum of 7 varsity runners must be registered before runners will be allowed to enter the JV division
  • Juniors or Seniors ONLY (11^th  or 12^th graders)
• Sophomore – 10 runners maximum
  • Sophomores Only (10^th graders)
• Freshman – 10 runners maximum
  • Freshman Only (9^th graders)

Sweepstakes Entries: Please view Sweepstakes Info links below for information on how to apply, who is accepted, and how additional entries are permitted.

Competition Divisions

CIF Southern Section Schools
All CIF-SS schools MUST enter in the division they have been placed by the CIF-SS office for the 2025 season.
—————————————————————————

2025 CIF-SS Divisions (based on grades 9-12 enrollment – PDF)

• D1 – 2,402 and above
• D2 – 1,934-2,401
• D3 – 1,441-1933
• D4 – 601-1,440
• D5 – 600 and below

—————————————————————————

California Schools Outside the CIF-Southern Section

California schools outside of the Southern Section have two options:

1. Schools may enter in the division they have been placed for this current season by THEIR CIF Section Office.
2. Schools may enter based on the current CIF-SS enrollment numbers listed above.

Schools Outside California
Schools from outside California should enter based on their schools enrollment numbers, using the current CIF Southern Section parameters listed above.

If your school is from outside California and you wish to be placed in a division different than the parameters listed below, please contact the high school division coordinator (Mark Gardner).

Sweepstakes Races Overview

The Team and Individual Sweepstakes Races bring together the very best teams and individuals on each day of the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational.

Sweepstakes (Team and Individual) races are combined division races. Friday will be combined Divisions 3, 4 & 5 and Saturday will be combined Divisions 1 & 2.

The four Sweepstakes Races are scheduled to run each morning (Friday/Saturday), with starting times that take advantage of optimum weather conditions. Sweepstakes races have additional awards, an overall sweepstakes champion award and have additional time allotted in the schedule to allow for highlighting and introducing competing athletes and teams.

FRIDAY (Division 3, 4 & 5)

• Boys Team Sweepstakes Race
• Girls Team Sweepstakes Race
• Boys Individual Sweepstakes Race
• Girls Individual Sweepstakes Race

SATURDAY (Division 1 & 2)

• Boys Team Sweepstakes Race
• Girls Team Sweepstakes Race
• Boys Individual Sweepstakes Race
• Girls Individual Sweepstakes Race

Team Sweepstakes

The Team Sweepstakes Races are for schools with a very strong team. Schools that are currently ranked in the top ten in the state or the top ten in the Southern Section usually request to be placed in the Team Sweepstakes Race.

20 to 25 teams are placed in the Team Sweepstakes Race.

If requested, you are guaranteed acceptance into a Team Sweepstakes Race if your school is currently ranked top ten in the most recent CIF Southern Section or CIF State polls.  

Individual Sweepstakes

The Individual Sweepstakes Races are for schools that have one or two outstanding runners, but are not as strong as a team. Schools that have individuals with a reasonable chance of placing top ten in the state championship or the Southern Section Finals usually request placement in these races.

Varsity teams will not be split up to accommodate entry into this race. (Example; placing one runner in the Individual Sweepstakes Race and the rest of the varsity in a regular varsity race). If your school is placed into the Individual Sweepstakes Race, all seven of your varsity runners will run in the Individual Sweepstakes Race. More teams are placed into this race since many out of state schools, may only bring only one or two outstanding competitors.

Requesting Placement into a Sweepstakes Race

To be considered for a Sweepstakes Race, YOU MUST REQUEST entry into a Sweepstakes Race during online registration.  

During the registration process (Athletic.net), there will be a “check” a box for requesting placement in Sweepstakes Races, along with an opportunity to submit a rationale in support of your request. 

Teams accepted in a Varsity Sweepstakes Races will be notified on Tuesday, October 15th.

Teams Selected For Sweepstakes Races

Teams accepted in a Varsity Sweepstakes Races will be notified on Tuesday, October 15th.  Selected schools:

1. Will have their selected Varsity Team (all varsity runners) moved into a Sweepstakes Race.
2. Will have the rest of their entered level races (boys and girls) placed into races closer to Sweepstakes races.   
3. Will be given a window of opportunity to submit unlimited entries (online) in the Freshman, Sophomore and JV Levels.
   1. No additional entry fee for these additional entries

Schools not placed into a Sweepstakes Race will have all of their entered teams placed into regular divisional races.  

Awards

Award distribution for the Sweepstakes races is as follows:

Team Sweepstakes

1. Team Awards = Special Cow Bell, Special Team Plaques and medals for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place for each division (1,2,3,4 & 5)
2. Individual Medals = Top 15  overall (divisions combined) 

Individual Sweeps

1. Team Awards = Special Team Plaques and medals for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place team (divisions combined).
2. Individual Medals = Top 15  overall (divisions combined)

Parking

Due to the thousands of people in attendance at the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational, we ask that you please plan your departure/arrival time accordingly. We recommend adding additional travel time in order to park, pick-up team packets, enter and set-up team camps.

• Team Bus Drop Off/Pick-Up will be in a specially designated area in Parking Lot F (East end)  
  –  Buses will be directed to park in Lot H after drop-off
  –  Please have the phone number of your bus driver to inform them when to be picked-up at the conclusion of your day 
• Team Vans may park in either Lot F or Gateway Parking Structure.
  –  Vans may also use the Lot F drop-off area and then park in an available lot.
• There will be NO PARKING ALLOWED in the Champion Parking Structure, with the exception of limited Handicapped Parking ($10) on the upper level.
• No parking charge for school buses or marked school vans.
  –  $10 parking charge for ALL other vehicles.

Packet Pick-Up

• Schools will pick up their team packets at the “Packet Pick-Up” window in the north entrance into Hilmer Lodge Stadium at Stadium Gate 2. The packet will contain Athlete Bib Numbers, coaches tickets and other important information. Coaches must distribute bibs and coaches tickets PRIOR to entering the stadium.
• It is IMPERATIVE that athletes receive and RUN WITH THE BIB NUMBER THEY WERE ASSIGNED (please carefully review entry list in Team Packet)! 
  –  If a runner runs without the appropriate bib, that runner will be removed from the results and will be disqualified from team scoring.
  –  Each bib number contains a RFID Tag on the back.  Please handle bibs with care.
  –  If you have any discrepancies with your entries, need a name changed or an athlete moved from one race to another race your team is entered
     in, please see the PROBLEM REGISTRATION TENT.
• Packet pick-up opens 2.5 hours prior to the start of the first race.

GATE ENTRY

• Athletes must present their bib number to enter the stadium.
• Coaches must use their coaches ticket to enter (quantity determined by number of entries).
• Team Coolers ARE allowed into the stadium with the team. 
  –  No Glass Bottles
  –  Coolers may be subjected to search
• All others must purchase tickets to enter.  
  –  General Admission gate opens 1.5 hours prior to the start of the first race.

Team Camps

Team Camps may be set up in either of the following two locations:

1. General purpose grass field (750GP) south of the stadium scoreboard in designated areas.
2. Level 1 of the Champions Parking Structure
   
   1. Tents are not needed in the covered parking structure
      .

Team camps are NOT allowed in the stadium, stadium infield or practice track area.

Please share with your parents/spectators/etc. the approximate area your team camp will be. The #1 question asked each year by spectators is “Do you know where (school) has their team camp?”

Race Schedule

This is an approximate time schedule. FINAL RACE SCHEDULE will be posted after final race confirmations are posted.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2025

Divisions 3, 4 and 5 

Division 3

• 10:00am to 12:00pm

Divisions 4 & 5

• 12:00pm to 4:30pm

Sweepstakes (D3, D4 & D5)

• 4:30pm to 6:00pm

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2025

Divisions 1 & 2 

Division 1

• 7:30am to 1:00pm

Division 2

• 3:00pm to 6:00pm

Sweepstakes (D1 & D2)

• 8:30am to 10:30am

Problem Registration Tent

Please see the Problem Registration Tent Staff AT LEAST 1 HOUR PRIOR TO THE AFFECTED RACE in order to:

• Put a registered runner into another race.
• Add a new (unregistered) runner from your team into a race your team is entered in.
• Make name corrections.
• Replace a lost bib number.

———————————————————————————————–

The following parameters will be enforced when adding or substituting runners:

1. Your team MUST already be entered into the race you would like to move a runner into. You cannot add runners into a race your team is not entered in.
2. The runner must be ELIGIBLE to run in that race you would like he / she to change to.
   
   1. Example: An 8th grader cannot run in a 6th grade race.

———————————————————————————————

If the above parameters are met, we will place your athlete(s) into a race with the following charges (Cash-Only):

• $5 – Name correction (we didn’t type in their name. 🙂 )
• $5 – Change runner from one race to another race he/she is eligible for.
• $5 – Adding a new runner on your team into a race your team is already entered in, using an unused bib number from a runner who is not competing.
• $10 – Replace a lost bib for a runner who is already registered in a race.
• $15 – Adding a new runner on your team into a race your team is already entered in, using a new bib.

NOTE: TEAMS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ADD INTO NEW RACES ON RACE DAY.

Warm-up Area

• All warm-up should be done on the practice track (Flex Field).
• Warm-ups are not permitted on the Stadium Track nor on the course on meet days.

CHECK-IN / Clerk-of-the-Course

• All athletes MUST report to the Clerk-of-the-Course at least 20 minutes prior to the scheduled start of their race.
• The Clerk is located inside the warm-up track area
  
  • Please see map in team packet
• When reporting all athletes should be ready to run with their Bib Number pinned to the front of their shirt / jersey.

Start Line

• Each school with 5 or more runners will receive one spot on the start line.  The rest of the team will line up, single file, behind the first runner.    Runners on teams with 4 or less runners will line up (in a group) on the furthest outside boxes on the start line. 
• Please instruct your athletes the order in which you want them to line up.
• Runners should be instructed to keep their distance (front and behind) away from other runners at the start. The runner they may trip up… might be their own teammate!

Course

You can download the map of our 3-mile course at the link above.

On the day of the meet, there are as many as four races going on at the same time. There will be runners on all parts of the course, so no one is allowed to “jog” the course on the day of the meet.

For safety and due to the width of certain parts of the course, ONLY coaches with wristbands will be allowed anywhere West of the Airstrip (Saddle, Reservoir Hill).

The map also contains restroom locations, team camp locations, walking paths, first aid locations and much more.

Safety Caveat

In order to protect the health and well-being of our participants, the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational reserves the right to:

• Remove distressed runners from a race (SEE SAFETY GATE INFORMATION)
• Change the running course
• Shorten race distances
• Cancel races

We reserve these rights, without monetary refund to teams, spectators, etc.

Please understand that these incidents happen due to:

• Acts of God (temperature, wind, fire, rain, etc.)
• Strain on the local Emergency Medical System (EMS)*

*This happens when coaches, athletes and parents put a strain on the EMS system by calling 911 for non-life threatening emergencies at the Cross Country Course.

The Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational employs well-trained medical personnel with an on-site advanced life support ambulance as a precaution. Unless it is a life threatening emergency, we ask that you seek medical help by informing our staff (who have direct radio communication with our medical staff) or speak with our medical staff.

Safety Gate

In recent years, we have had competitors that were in no way fit enough to handle the demands of cross country running, let alone our course.

The Safety Gate policy was created to protect the health and safety of competitors who:

• Clearly are not fit enough to finish the race on race day.
• May not have the proper conditioning on race day to handle the second and most difficult half of the course without medical attention.
• Are most likely to require medical attention, which in turn will place stress on our local EMS system.  

The Safety Gate is located behind the stadium at the back side of Switchbacks Hill, approximately 1.4 miles into the race. This is a location, where athletes can be discreetly directed off the course and to their team camps. 

The cut-off times listed below are very generous. Years of data supports our claim that a runner who fails to reach the safety gate by the times listed below, will have a much higher likelihood to require Medical Attention.  

At times, illness or injury may hamper a runner’s ability to compete at their normal proficiency. Although we understand this situation, we feel strongly that a runner in this situation should not be competing under these circumstances. Our extensive charting/research of past medical issues indicate that runners who struggle in the first half of the race are most likely to require emergency medical attention. Our number one priority is the safety of all of our competitors. Since implementing this policy, the number of severe medical issues has drastically decreased. 

Safety Gate Cut-Off Times 

• Varsity Boys = 12:30
• Non-Varsity Boys = 13:00
• Varsity Girls = 13:50
• Non-Varsity Girls = 14:00

GENERAL INFORMATION

Due to the nature of cross country running and the number of people attending, individuals with mobility and health issues are cautioned that attending the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational may place a physical burden on them. 

Those attending are subject to:

• Walking long distances (easily over 1 mile)
• Elevation changes
• Uneven and unstable walking surfaces
• Dusty conditions
• Heat conditions

Spectator Rules/Guidelines

• All spectators must enter through the Main Stadium Gate (Gate 3, North).
• No outside drink or food allowed
• No coolers allowed
• There are no spectator “Drop Off” areas near the course.
• NO spectators will be allowed anywhere West of the Airstrip.  The “Saddle, Reservoir and Poop Out Hills are off limits due to runner safety.

Parking

Due to the thousands of people in attendance at the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational, we ask that you please plan your departure/arrival time accordingly. We recommend adding additional travel time in order to park, enter and find your team/athlete(s).

•  Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational General Parking ($10 cash only) will be available in Lot F (North of Temple Ave), Gateway Parking Structure (South of Temple Ave.) and Lot H (if Lot F is filled).
• LIMITED HANDICAPPED PARKING is available in the upper level of the Champion Parking Structure exception of limited Handicapped Parking ($10 cash only) on the upper level.
• Pedestrian drop-off is available at the drop-off circle located on Champion Way on the South side of Temple Avenue off of Bonita Drive.    

gate admission 

In order to speed up your entry process into the stadium/cross country course, we strongly recommend that you purchase your tickets online.  Online ticket link will be posted here shortly.

Spectator Admission Fees:

• Adults (12 years or older) – $12
• Seniors (65 years or older) – $6
• Students (with Student ID) – $6
• Children (12 years or younger) – $6

As with any meet of this size, there are going to be times when restrooms are in great demand. Please plan ahead. There are numerous permanent restroom facilities throughout our new stadium and a few portable restrooms in other areas (please see map for nearest facility).  

We HIGHLY recommend that you bring your own toilet paper. Although the facilities are stocked and restocked, the TOILET PAPER GREMLIN always seems to reappear each year, stealing endless rolls of papers from our restroom facilities!

Medical

The Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational employs well-trained medical personnel with an on-site advanced life support ambulance as a precaution.

• Medical help will be located throughout the course with a main medical station located near the south end of building 752 
• Please seek out Mt. SAC Staff Members (who have radio communication with the medical staff) if you have a medical emergency.
• Please understand that not all medical situations are the same. We employ a triage system where life threatening emergencies take precedence over minor cuts and bruises.

PLEASE HELP US!

Unless it is an immediate life threatening emergency, please seek out our medical staff first.  Calling 911 for minor medical issues places a huge burden on the local EMS System which could lead to meet cancellation and more importantly serious safety issues including delayed medical response. Our medical staff can handle most medical issues and will contact EMS if warranted.  The staff will also contact the Mt. SAC Police Department to help quickly escort EMS to the exact location of the medical emergency.   

Race Schedule

This is the approximate time schedule for the 2025 Mt. SAC XC Invitational.

FINAL RACE SCHEDULE will be posted after registration closes and posted with race confirmations.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2025

Divisions 3, 4 and 5 

Division 3
– 10:00am to 12:00pm

Divisions 4 & 5
– 12:00pm to 4:30pm

Sweepstakes (D3, D4 & D5)
– 4:30pm to 6:00pm

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2025

Divisions 1 & 2 

Division 1
– 7:30am to 1:00pm

Division 2
– 3:00pm to 6:00pm

Sweepstakes (D1 & D2)
– 8:30am to 10:30am

Contacts

General Inquiries

RunMtSAC.com Staff
Aliki Rutnam
arutnam@mtsac.edu