The 10th Annual Prairie Stars Invitational is set to take place on Friday, September 5th with the women's 5K race starting at 5:30 p.m. Hosted by the Illinois Springfield, this exciting event will unfold at the UIS Cross Country Course located on the east side of the UIS campus, just off University Drive.

The Invitational will feature a competitive lineup of teams, including several from the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), such as Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), Quincy, and Truman State. Additionally, Blackburn, Carl Sandburg, Eureka, Heartland, Illinois College, Kaskaskia College, Millikin, and Monmouth will also participate, promising a diverse field of runners.

Senior Prairie Star Madelyn Miller-Ross comes into the event with high expectations. She was recently ranked No. 14 in NCAA Division II by the FloTrack Preseason Cross Country Ranking, sponsored by HOKA. All-GLVC returner Kaleigh Inniss will join her, alongside newcomer transfer Victoria Regitz from Missouri S&T, who narrowly missed All-GLVC honors a season ago.

Coinciding with the Invitational is the first-ever UIS Cross Country & Track Alumni Weekend. This event celebrates the contributions of Prairie Stars alumni over the past decade, providing an opportunity for past athletes to reconnect and honor the program's history and achievements.

The event offers free admission and parking, making it an accessible outing for all attendees. Additionally, live scoring will be available through TRXC Timing, allowing spectators to stay updated on the races in real-time.

With a competitive lineup and the celebration of the program's legacy, the 10th Annual Prairie Stars Invitational promises to be a memorable event for athletes, alumni, and fans alike.