Manhattan College Invitational Track and Field: A Legacy of Excellence

The Manhattan College Invitational Track and Field event stands as a prominent fixture in the cross-country landscape, showcasing a rich history and commitment to fostering athletic talent. Held at Van Cortlandt Park, it attracts thousands of scholastic runners from across the nation.

A Day of Races: From Freshmen to Champions

The invitational features a comprehensive schedule of races designed to accommodate athletes of all ages and skill levels. The day begins with freshman races, followed by races for younger and older youth, intermediate runners, and culminates in varsity and championship races.

Races Schedule:

FRESHMAN RACES (1.5 Miles)
- 9:03 AM - Coach Pete Waters Freshman Boys “A” (Sponsored by James & William Collins)
- 9:10 AM - Br. Raphael Cecchini ’41 Freshman Girls “A” (Sponsored by Brendan Monaghan ’78 & Thomas Grilli)
- 9:16 AM - Brian Kivlan ’69 Freshman Boys “B” (Sponsored by Kerri Kivlan)
- 9:23 AM - Br. Francis Bowers Freshman Girls “B” (Sponsored by Vince McArdle & Al Novell)
- 9:29 AM - Kye Courtney ’61 Freshman Boys “C” (Sponsored by Theodore Muellers & Robert Rapino)
- 9:36 AM - Mark Codd ’71 Freshman Girls “C” (Sponsored by Joseph McGill & James Kenny)
- 9:42 AM - Pat Petersen ’82 Freshman Boys “D” (Sponsored by Rich Alexander, Neil Doherty, Joe Gormley, Tim McCoy, Tom McCoy, Aliann Pompey, Jack Rightmyer & Joe Ryan)
USATF YOUNGER YOUTH RACE (1.5 Miles)
- 9:49 AM - John Johnson Memorial/USA Track & Field - Boys & Girls (8 & under, 9-10, 11-12) (Sponsored by Christopher Hughes ‘74)
COACHES & JASPER ALUMNI RACE (1.5 Miles)
- 9:55 AM - John Tobin ’61 Coaches/Jasper Alumni Race (Sponsored by Thomas McFarland)
INTERMEDIATE RACES (1.5 Miles)
- 10:02 AM - Adam Sanford Memorial Intermediate Girls (Grades 7-8)
- 10:08 AM - Ed O’Toole ’47 Intermediate Boys (Grades 7-8)
USATF OLDER YOUTH RACE (2.5 Miles)
- 10:18 AM - Gerry Buckley ’64/USA Track & Field Boys & Girls (13-14, 15-16, 17-18) (Sponsored by Pete Gaughn ’77)
SOPHOMORE RACES (2.5 Miles)
- 10:30 AM - The O’Malley Family Sophomore Boys “A” (Sponsored by Anonymous)
- 10:43 AM - Sr. Geraldine Bowes ’70 Sophomore Girls “A” (Sponsored by Amelia Bowes)
- 10:56 AM - Ed Walsh ’70 Sophomore Boys “B” (Sponsored by James P. Martin)
VARSITY RACES (2.5 Miles)
- 11:07 AM - Thomas Lindgren Varsity Girls “A” (Sponsored by Thomas Lindgren ‘78)
- 11:19 AM - Lou Vazquez Jr. Memorial Varsity Boys “A” (Sponsored by Mike Kelly ’80)
- 11:31 AM - Br. Robert Berger Varsity Girls “B” (Sponsored in Memory of George Roach, Esq. ‘73)
- 11:43 AM - Br. Gregory Hunt ’50 Varsity Boys “B” (Sponsored by Courtney Marro ‘18)
- 11:55 AM - Coach George Eastment Varsity Girls “C” (by Deacon Donald Donovan ‘64)
- 12:07 PM - Mike Cohen Memorial Varsity Boys “C” (Sponsored by Kevin Monaghan ’77)
- 12:19 PM - Doc Francis Sweeney ’16 Varsity Girls “D” (Sponsored by Ken ’88 and Christine Peeples ’89)
CHAMPIONSHIP RACES (2.5 Miles)
- 12:31 PM - Peter Aquilone Memorial Boys Eastern State Championship (Sponsored by Br. Daniel Gardner)
- 12:43 PM - Ed Bowes Memorial Girls Eastern State Championship (Sponsored by Meg Marro ’13)
VARSITY RACES (2.5 Miles)
- 12:55 PM - Coach Fred Dwyer Varsity Boys “D” (Sponsored by Fred Dwyer Jr.’82)
- 1:07 PM - Lindy Remigino ’53 Varsity Boys “E” (Sponsored by Joe Hurley)
- 1:19 PM - Joseph Kearney ’67 Varsity Girls “E” (Sponsored by Kevin Mulvaney ‘71)
- 1:31 PM - Ed Walsh ’47 Varsity Boys “F” (Sponsored by John M. Flanagan)
JUNIOR VARSITY RACES (2.5 Miles)
- 1:42 PM - Eugene & Sally Trigo JV Boys “A” (Sponsored by Mike Kelly)
- 1:54 PM - St. Francis Prep Coach Jim May JV Girls “A” (Sponsored by JKH Photo)
- 2:06 PM - Jim Harrington ’61 JV Boys “B”
- 2:18 PM - John A. Cunningham JV Girls “B”
- 2:30 PM - Kevin Kearney ’74 JV Boys “C” (Sponsored by Chris Hughes ‘74)
- 2:42 PM - Coach Jim McHugh JV Girls “C” (Sponsored by Tom Donahue ‘71)
- 2:54 PM - Sal Marro ’51 JV Boys “D” (Sponsored by Fred Marro Esq.

Registration Information

Coaches must register their teams through the MileSplit registration page. After completing the entry form, coaches must submit it and pay via credit card. A copy of the entry form should be printed from the right-side rail. Once payment is received, teams will be added to the Accepted Teams list. Payment and a hard copy of the entry form should be sent to Manhattan University. All fees are entry fees, NOT participation fees.

Cancellation Policy

In the event that the Manhattan University Cross Country Invitational needs to be cancelled, entered teams will be notified as soon as possible, and entry fees will be deferred until 2026. There will be no refunds or entry deferment for teams who enter but do not attend for any reason.

Rules for Entries

Specific rules govern team composition and race eligibility. A school must run its best seven (7) runners as its Varsity team. If a school enters more than one team in the Sophomore, Junior Varsity, or Freshman Races, it must run its 7 BEST on the A team, next 7 on the B team, etc. Teams need to have a minimum of 5 athletes finish for a team score. In the team scoring there is no displacement of runners who finish on incomplete teams (less than 5 scorers). If a school runs more than 7 runners in any team-scoring race they will be disqualified. A member of any team cutting the course will cause disqualification of his/her ENTIRE TEAM in that race. Team ties will be broken by the highest 6th place finisher.

Read also: Manhattan College Tuition

Key Entry Rules:

You must run your best seven (7) runners as your Varsity team. If you run an incomplete Varsity team, you cannot enter a Junior Varsity team.
You can enter only one Varsity team.
You cannot enter a Junior Varsity team unless you have entered a Varsity team or an Eastern States Team.
If you are entering the Boys or Girls Eastern States Championship, you cannot also enter a Varsity team (either your Varsity team competes in the Championship Race or a regular Varsity Race).
You can enter an unlimited number of teams in the Junior Varsity, Sophomore or Freshman divisions. Each team is defined as 7 runners or less and each team is subject to the entry fee. In order to enter a Junior Varsity Team, you must enter a varsity team (7 runners).
Freshman runners cannot compete in the Sophomore division.
You can enter an unlimited number of Intermediate runners at the entry fee per individual. Intermediate runners are defined as 7th and 8th graders only. There is no team scoring. All Intermediate runners must represent the school that they are attending (wearing the school uniform) and not a club to which they might belong.
Only Intermediate runners are entered as individuals. All Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Varsity and Varsity runners are entered on a "team" basis.
No entrant who has reached his/her 19th birthday before July 1, 2025, shall be eligible to run.
Any freshman who turns 16 years of age before July 1, 2025, will be ineligible for the Freshman Race. Boys/Girls repeating the 9th grade are ineligible for the Freshman Race.
Definition of Sophomore: In 10th grade for the first time and second year of high school after leaving 8th grade.
Coaches have the option to enter 7th and/or 8th graders in the Freshman races if they choose to move them from their middle school eligibility.
If a school enters more than one team in the Sophomore, Junior Varsity, or Freshman Races, it must run its 7 BEST on the A team, next 7 on the B team, etc.
Teams need to have a minimum of 5 athletes finish for a team score.
In the team scoring there is no displacement of runners who finish on incomplete teams (less than 5 scorers).
If a school runs more than 7 runners in any team-scoring race they will be disqualified.
A school may enter the Sophomore Race without entering a Junior Varsity or Varsity team.
All athletes, including Intermediates, must be on the roster and must have a bib number.
No entry will be accepted from a school that is on the Overdue List.
A member of any team cutting the course will cause disqualification of his/her ENTIRE TEAM in that race.
Team Ties - highest 6th place finisher will be the tiebreaker.
Please do not allow an athlete to compete if they are injured or ill. By sending an athlete to the starting line, the coach has certified that they are healthy and able to participate.

Important Dates and Fees

The deadline for registration is October 4, 2025, at midnight. Team entries are $70 per team per race, with a minimum of five and a maximum of seven runners. Intermediate entries are $13 per runner per race. In the event of overpayment, no refund checks will be issued; the overpayment amount will be used as a credit for 2026 entry fees.

Van Cortlandt Park Cross Country Hall of Fame

The Manhattan University Cross Country Invitational joined Gene McCarthy to bring back the Van Cortlandt Park Cross Country Hall of Fame as an annual feature, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport.

Hall of Fame Inductees:

2022: Ed Bowes, Nicole (Blood) Freitag, Marc Bloom
2023: Christine Curtin, Denis Cochran-Fikes, Paul Limmer, Walt Murphy
2024: Gene McCarthy, Nnenna Lynch, Tom Heath
2025: Aisling Cuffe, Bill Aris, Bill Leahy

Notable Inductees

Ed Bowes (2022): The creator of the Manhattan University Cross Country Invitational, Bowes served as its meet director for 44 years. His invitational quickly developed into “the biggest and best” with over 400,000 scholastic runners from all across the nation competing through the years in his Van Cortlandt Park showcase. Bowes was also known as a champion of girls’ participation in running, adding a Girls Eastern States Championship to his Manhattan University meet in 1976.

Nicole (Blood) Freitag (2022): The first woman to be inducted into the Van Cortlandt Park Cross Country Hall of Fame, Freitag first gained national notoriety at Van Cortlandt in the Manhattan University Cross Country Invitational in 2002. She won the first of three consecutive individual Girls Eastern States Championship individual titles while also leading her Saratoga Springs (NY) team to three straight team crowns.

Marc Bloom (2022): A media career spanning almost 60 years, Bloom has been one of the biggest and most influential champions of scholastic cross-country. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, it was Bloom who helped put high school cross-country on the map with meet coverage and feature stories in The New York Times and other publications.

Christine Curtin (2023): Won the 1981 Girls’ Eastern States title as a sophomore. Her biggest scholastic cross country accomplishment came in 1982 when she captured a national championship at the Kinney race.

Denis Fikes (now Denis Cochran-Fikes) (2023): Dominated VCP and cross country running during his CHSAA days winning two Boy’s Eastern States Championships.

Paul Limmer (2023): One of the nation’s most successful high school coaches, Limmer created a running powerhouse as head coach for 35 years at Mepham High School in Bellmore, Long Island.

Walt Murphy (2023): A longtime NYC cross country writer, Murphy has covered scholastic and collegiate cross country for over four decades in his two publications: Eastern Track and X-Country X-Press.

Gene McCarthy (2024): Known as “The Godfather of Athletic Footwear,” McCarthy captured the first individual title in the event’s first ever, varsity race in 1973 at the inaugural MCXCI at Van Cortlandt Park.

Read also: Manhattan Beach History

Nnenna Lynch (2024): Captured the 1987 Girls Eastern States title at the Manhattan College Cross Country Invitational in Van Cortlandt Park as a scholastic sophomore harrier for New York City’s Hunter College.

Tom Heath (2024): Long-time head cross country coach at CBA (NJ)-Lincroft who created one of the nation’s greatest scholastic running programs.

Aisling Cuffe (2025): The 2009 and 2010 Girls Eastern States individual champion at the Manhattan College Cross Country Invitational, in Van Cortlandt, Cuffe also captured New York State XC titles in both years and won the 2010 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships as a Cornwall (NY) senior.

Bill Aris (2025): Director and Head Coach at national cross country powerhouse Fayetteville-Manlius (F-M) for over 25 years. His teams have won a record 11 (10 girls, one for the boys) Eastern States Championship team titles in Van Cortlandt.

Bill Leahy (2025): On November 11, 1963, 17-year old Bill Leahy from Boston’s Catholic Memorial High School won the Irish Christian Brothers Meet at Van Cortlandt Park in a time of 12:58.6 becoming the first scholastic runner to record a sub 13-minute time over Van Cortlandt Park’s 2.5-mile course.

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