GFS will host the much anticipated 34th annual GFS Middle School Cross Country 3K Invitation today. More than 300 athletes from 19 schools will converge on Belmont Plateau. Teams from the Friends Schools League, other independent schools, and public schools will take part.  

“Year after year, runners of all speeds finish the course and many achieve a goal that they set early in the season, whether it’s making it up the grueling Belmont Hill twice or striving for a personal best time. It’s always exciting for the athletes to run at this historic cross country course, the same one where colleges compete and high school state championships are held. For many teams, the Invitational is the culminating event and highlight of their season!” said Director of Athletics Katie Bergstrom Mark. 

Former Athletic Director and now FSL Manager Emeritus, Carl Tannenbaum started the Invitational "to highlight our incredibly successful Junior High (now Middle School) Cross Country program. In the early years, it was run on the same day as (and just before) the Catholic League Championship. If running at Belmont wasn't scary enough, seeing 50 North Catholic runners in all-black warmups certainly was impressive!" 

The Invitational has grown immensely; more than 5,000 athletes have taken part in the event, with the same goals in mind:

• to create a culminating event for middle school runners who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to compete against each other
• to bring runners from neighboring schools together in community
• to provide a forum for athletes to run at the historic cross country course at Belmont Plateau
• to celebrate GFS’ tradition of excellence in the sport and
• to raise the profile of middle school runners as they prepare for varsity competition. 

At this year's event, and keeping with tradition, a championship bowl and t-shirts will be awarded to the winning teams. Top-10 runners, in the co-ed and girls divisions, will also receive medals. The first place girls team will receive a plaque, which has been done since the Invitational's inception. 

“The GFS Middle School Invitational is a fantastic capstone for the fall cross-country season as it provides each athlete an opportunity to test themselves and compete in an electric, fun, and supportive atmosphere,” said Varsity Cross Country Coach Conrad Haber.  

View the GFS MS XC Historic Invitational Gallery