About the Gans Creek Cross Country Course
Gans Creek Cross Country Course is a championship-level course with supporting amenities designed to host major cross country competitive events. This dedicated course has a 500-meter starting chute, 2k and 3k loops, 30-foot-wide irrigated turf, permanent finish line structure, outdoor shelter, and indoor building with restrooms. As a premiere cross country course complex, it was designed to accommodate spectators and media, with a raised seating area and various vantage points along the course. It is located in 320-acre Gans Creek Recreation Area in south Columbia off of Highway 63 at the Discovery Parkway exit.
The University of Missouri contributed a substantial amount toward the development of the complex. The Gans Creek Cross Country Course will be the home course for the University of Missouri, along with other local high schools and colleges. The course hosted the NCAA Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship in 2021. The course is scheduled to host a 2022 NCAA Regional Championship, 2024, 2027 and 2030 NAIA National Championships, and the 2025 NCAA National Championship.
It is the host course for the Missouri State High School Championships (MSHSAA) through 2028. Columbia Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with Columbia Public Schools, hosts a pre-state championship event known as the Gans Creek Classic.
Facility amenities
- Cross country course
- 500-meter starting chute
- Irrigated 10-meter wide grass running surface
- 2k and 3k loops to accommodate multiple race distances
- Permanent start line structure, finish line structure and course checkpoints
- Elevated Viewing Area
- Timing Tower
- Gans Shelter
- Gans Building with Restrooms (coming soon)
Contact information
- Cross Country Course Rental Rates
- Course Reservations: Jake Pohlman, Jake.Pohlman@Como.gov, 573.874.7466opens phone dialer
- Rainout Hotline: 573.874.7663opens phone dialer
Rental rates
| Course Fees | |
|---|---|
| Dedicated Course Fee/Athlete Pavilion | $1,300.00 |
| Dedicated Course Fee/Athlete Pavilion and Indoor Pavilion | $1,500.00 |
| Fee Per Participant in Each Range 0‐100 | $2.40 |
| Fee Per Participant in Each Range 101‐200 | $2.04 |
| Fee Per Participant in Each Range 201‐300 | $1.80 |
| Fee Per Participant in Each Range 301‐400 | $1.56 |
| Fee Per Participant in Each Range 401‐500 | $1.20 |
| Fee Per Participant in Each Range >500 | $1.00 |
| Porta Pot Traditional Per Unit Fee* | $60.00 |
| Porta Pot Handicapped Per Unit Fee* | $70.00 |
| Event Fees | |
| Non-Refundable Race Deposit ** | $300.00 |
| Gate Fee – minimum *** | $100.00 |
| Non Food Vendor Fee – per day | $50.00 |
*Rental Porta Pots Required for Races with More 200 Racers; # Determined by Race Size
**Applied to final rental fee if tournament goes
**$100 minimum or $1 per ticket sold; whichever is greater
Rainout and cancellation policy
If your event is cancelled by inclement weather, you must call the next business day to reschedule your reservation at 573.874.7460opens phone dialer, otherwise your reservation is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Rules
- No dogs allowed.
- No unauthorized use from November 15 to April 1.
- Use of the course for team/group practices is not allowed without a reservation.
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