Cross Country Invitational

School System Athletic Events Boost Local Economy
Posted on 10/01/2018
Over 100 middle and high schools will participate in the cross country event at Foxhall Resort and Sporting Club on October 6. That means approximately 4,000 runners and 9,000 spectators from over 40 counties in Georgia along with runners and spectators from North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina will spend their dollars for food and hotels locally. 

Local restaurants and vendors at the event are sure to benefit from the approximately $230,000 in food purchases that are expected over the weekend, and approximately 30 teams will need to stay in local hotels where they will spend around $60,000 in hotel fees and taxes. Additional dollars will go for transportation, retail, and recreation for a total boost to the economy of approximately $880,000, according to calculations provided through the GA Department of Economic Development. Douglas County should see tax revenues of around $51,000 from the event.

Alexander Head Cross Country Coach Brian Robinson is organizing the invitational and is no stranger to success since he began coaching in 1994. His cross country team won the 5AAAAAA boys state cross country championship in 2000 and 2016. The team has been region champs 14 times. The girls cross country team at Alexander has won the region championship 10 times.

“We are proud of our runners at Alexander and we expect to do well in all of our meets this year,” said Coach Robinson. “We are also proud that by hosting large events, we can help create revenue for our county and local businesses.”

In addition to Alexander’s big event on October 6, Chapel Hill High School and Lithia Springs High School will host five large cross country invitational events and three regional championships this school year. Additional events mean additional dollars for Douglas County.

Pictured is the 2016 AHS cross country team after receiving recognition for their state championship.
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