HOKA Becomes Exclusive Presenting Sponsor of Manhattan College High School Cross Country Invitational

49Th Edition of Nation’s Largest One-Day, High School Cross Country Meet Returns to legendary Van Cortlandt Park in The Bronx

Riverdale, NY – The Manhattan College Cross Country Invitational will again be sponsored by performance footwear and apparel brand HOKA, who becomes the exclusive presenting sponsor of the event. The announcement was made by Kerri Gallagher, Director of Cross Country, Track at Field at Manhattan College that operates the Invitational.  

The Manhattan College Cross Country Invitational Presented by HOKA will be contested on Saturday, October 9 at Van Cortlandt Park on the nation’s most storied cross country course. The New York City event also includes both the prestigious Boys and Girls Eastern States Championship elite races.

“We are proud to again partner with HOKA, an established brand that consistently and significantly supports opportunities for high school athletes, in this case helping runners compete at the famed Van Cortlandt Park” said Gallagher who recently succeeded Matt Centrowitz as Director of the Jaspers cross country, track & field programs. “HOKA is a community-oriented and forward thinking brand that aligns perfectly with the objectives of this great event.”

“We’re proud to extend our partnership with the Manhattan College XC invitational, which continues to be one of the most iconic annual prep cross country events in the U.S.,” said Mike McManus, Director of Global Sports Marketing at HOKA. 

HOKA will also sponsor the HOKA Runner’s Expo that will take place on Friday evening, October 8. Plans are still being finalized for this on-site as well as virtual event that in 2019 included a panel by noted NCAA college coaches discussing the opportunities and challenges for high school athletes competing at the college level. There was also a free pasta dinner for the runners sponsored by Baldor hat included a keynote address by US Olympic silver-medalist and HOKA runner Leo Manzano.

Founded in 1972 by renowned high school coach and Manhattan College Hall of Fame runner Ed Bowes, the Manhattan College Cross Country Invitational quickly grew into the nation’s largest, single-day, scholastic cross country meet with 10,000 runners competing in over 40-races at Van Cortlandt.  

Situated in the northwest corner of New York City, Van Cortlandt Park is renowned in cross country circles as the venue where harrier greats such as Steve Prefontaine, Marty Liquori, & Matt Centrowitz first rose to prominence as high school and college runners. In more recent years, Mary Cain, Edward Cheserek and Katelyn Tuohy have established course records over the challenging “Vannie” hills and flats.

The Ed Bowes Girl’s Eastern States Championship will again be contested as one of the featured races at the 2021 Manhattan College Cross Country Invitational Presented by HOKA.  

About HOKA ONE ONE®  

HOKA ONE ONE® is one of the fastest-growing performance footwear and apparel brands in history. Conceived in the mountains, HOKA footwear delivers an unprecedented combination of enhanced cushioning and support for a uniquely smooth ride. Every day, HOKA pushes the innovation and design of its footwear and apparel by teaming up with a deep roster of world champions, taste makers and everyday athletes. From finish lines to everyday life, HOKA fans love the brand for its bold and unexpected approach, and its belief in the power of humanity to create change for a better world. HOKA empowers a world of athletes to fly over the earth. For more information, visit hokaoneone.com or follow @hokaoneone. #TimeToFly