Newberry Declared As SC Cross Country Capital
City Council shared a proclamation Tuesday declaring the City of Newberry as the Cross Country Capital of South Carolina.
Mayor Foster Senn said that Newberry had turned into the cross country center lately with many important races held here.
Reading from the proclamation, Senn shared that Jimmy Stephens moved to Newberry for his coaching position at Newberry College and immediately noticed the Johnson Farm, thinking it would be a great place to host a cross country race.
Working with the Johnson family, Stephens began to develop a race site and course on their property.
The first race, the Newberry Invitational was held on October 30, 2020, on the Johnson farm property and has since hosted other races including the South Carolina High School League State Championships, the 2024 South Atlantic Conference Championships, the Coaches Classic, youth events and other meets.
The Johnson’s and Newberry County have also brought the Spartan Race to Newberry starting in 2022.
“We couldn’t do this without the Johnson’s,” Stephens said. “It’s been a community effort to make it happen and awesome to see it develop and grow, and to see people fall in love with the course. I’m grateful.”
Stephens describes the course as “true cross-country” with its hills and terrain, with spectators being able to see the whole race with the way it’s designed.
“The City of Newberry is most appreciative of all the excitement, tourism and local pride the races bring to Newberry and the commerce that greatly impacts our restaurants, hotels and other businesses,” the proclamation reads.
City Council shared a proclamation Tuesday declaring the City of Newberry as the Cross Country Capital of South Carolina.
Mayor Foster Senn said that Newberry had turned into the cross country center lately with many important races held here.
Reading from the proclamation, Senn shared that Jimmy Stephens moved to Newberry for his coaching position at Newberry College and immediately noticed the Johnson Farm, thinking it would be a great place to host a cross country race.
Working with the Johnson family, Stephens began to develop a race site and course on their property.
The first race, the Newberry Invitational was held on October 30, 2020, on the Johnson farm property and has since hosted other races including the South Carolina High School League State Championships, the 2024 South Atlantic Conference Championships, the Coaches Classic, youth events and other meets.
The Johnson’s and Newberry County have also brought the Spartan Race to Newberry starting in 2022.
“We couldn’t do this without the Johnson’s,” Stephens said. “It’s been a community effort to make it happen and awesome to see it develop and grow, and to see people fall in love with the course. I’m grateful.”
Stephens describes the course as “true cross-country” with its hills and terrain, with spectators being able to see the whole race with the way it’s designed.
“The City of Newberry is most appreciative of all the excitement, tourism and local pride the races bring to Newberry and the commerce that greatly impacts our restaurants, hotels and other businesses,” the proclamation reads.
