Arkansas men’s cross country has released its 2025 competition schedule, marking the 18th season under head coach Chris Bucknam. The team will open the season at home with the Chile Pepper Festival on October 4.
The Chile Pepper Festival, now in its 37th year and held at Agri Park, will include collegiate races at 10:25 a.m. and 11 a.m., featuring the McDonnell Memorial 8k and Harter’s Habanero 5k. More information about the event schedule can be found at https://www.chilepepperfestival.org/schedule/.
On October 18, Arkansas will compete in the Pre-National Invitational in Columbia, Missouri. This event serves as preparation for the NCAA Championships, which will also take place on the Gans Creek course in Columbia on November 22. Arkansas previously won the SEC Championships on this course in 2021.
The Razorbacks are set to participate in the SEC Championships hosted by Tennessee on October 31. The team has claimed four of the last five conference titles and holds a league record with 29 overall SEC cross country championships.
On November 14, Arkansas will host the NCAA South Central Regional at Agri Park. The Razorbacks are defending champions of this regional meet, having secured first place with a total of 33 points in College Station during the previous season. The top two teams from this race earn automatic entry to the NCAA Championships.
Over recent years, Arkansas has achieved strong results nationally with four podium finishes at the NCAA Cross Country Championships within five years—placing third in 2024 and fourth in both 2020, 2021, and 2023.
Chris Bucknam continues to lead Arkansas as they aim to build on their recent successes throughout their upcoming campaign.
