Mercer University
Paul Short Run
Mercer Cross Country Travels North to Compete at Paul Short Run
9/30/2026 12:00:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer men's and women's cross country teams will travel north to Bethlehem, Pa. to compete in the Paul Short Run, hosted by Lehigh University, at the Goodman Campus Cross Country Course on Oct. 2.
The women's team placed fourth at the Southern Showcase on Sept. 18 with Nikki Harris leading the way with a 17:13.7 5K to place 19th at the meet while taking the third-fastest time in program history. Mary Grace Parker finished right behind her in 23rd with a 17:19.8 5K. Chiara Belfico, Paula Sandoval, and Ella Pettersson rounded out the top five for the Bears with Ania San Roman Lopez and Alayna Carter also placing in the top 100.
The men's team finished in 20th at the Southern Showcase with Will Poelker leading the way, finishing in 69th with a personal best 8K of 25:19.0. Hagan Russell ran a personal best 25:45.2 8K as well to finish in 25:45.2. Across both teams, the Bears set 10 personal bests in their last meet.
The Goodman Campus Cross Country Course accommodates four course distances and navigates through a beautiful landscape of cornfields, green space, wooded areas and campus scenery. Regarded as one of the best in the Northeast region and the nation, the course hosts many major racing events including the Paul Short Run, the largest intercollegiate cross country race in the nation, as well as high school and other championships.
The men's team will be competing in the College Men's Gold 8K at 11 a.m., and the women's team will compete right after them in the College Women's 6K at 11:45 a.m.
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