RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men's and women's cross country teams will open the 2026 season by hosting Morehead State in the EKU Invitational on Friday morning at Elmwood Mansion.
 
The women's 5K race will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the men's 5K race at 9:30 a.m.
 
Both the EKU men's and women's teams were picked to win the United Athletic Conference this fall in a preseason poll of league head coaches.
 
Senior Taha Er Raouy was voted the UAC Men's Preseason Runner of the Year, while sophomore Edna Chelulei was tabbed the UAC Women's Preseason Runner of the Year.
 
The EKU men are ranked No. 12 in the USTFCCCA Preseason National Coaches Poll. The Colonels placed ninth at the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships, the best finish in program history.
 
The cross country teams have the following weekend off before returning to action at the Midway XC Invitational on Sept. 18 and the John McNichols Invitational on Sept. 19 in Terre Haute, Indiana, the site of this year's NCAA Championships.