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27th Annual Running Fit-Detroit Titan Invitational Info & Directions

DETROIT (9/5/2013) -- Back for another year of greatness is one of the longest annual traditions in Titan history as the University of Detroit Mercy men's and women's cross country programs host the 27th Annual Running Fit-Detroit Titan Invitational this Saturday at Cass Benton Park in Northville.

All the action will start with a pair of open 5k races at 9:30 a.m. The 3rd Annual 1.5-mile middle school race is slated for 10:45, while the "world famous" Tommy Titan Future Legends Kid's Race will begin at 11:05.

The main event will then take place with the collegiate races as the women's 5k goes off at 11:15 a.m., with the men's 4-mile to follow at 11:45. An awards ceremony will then follow to honor all the victors.

For more information on the meet including schedule, records, past results and directions to Cass Benton Park, visit the 27th Annual Running Fit-Detroit Titan Invitational webpage by clicking here.

The women's collegiate field is set at 12 teams with Horizon League-rivals Cleveland State and Oakland along with Concordia, Lawrence Tech, Macomb CC, Madonna, Marygrove, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Rochester, Schoolcraft, and Wayne State.

The men's collegiate 4-mile will feature 11 teams in Concordia, Lawrence Tech, Macomb CC, Madonna, Marygrove, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Oakland, Rochester, Schoolcraft, and Wayne State.

Bucknell won both the men's and women's team and individual races last year, while Matt Fecht won the open 5k for the fourth straight year. The 2012 U.S. Olympic Men's Marathon Trials Qualifier will go for another win and another long workout as he runs in both the open and collegiate races.

The men's 4-mile record is held by Chad Johnson of Hansen's Olympic Development Program with a time of 19:45 in 2000, while Wayne State's Nick Allen holds the collegiate record at 19:51 in 2003. On the women's side, Nicole Edwards of Michigan holds the events best in the 5k clocking a 17.19 in 2008.

The Titan men took third last year with 62 points, with a pair of runners in the top 10 in Martin Nelkie (8th – 21:02) and Colin Creagh (10th – 21:08). The women also finished third with 90 points, led by Katrina Oberski's ninth-place effort in 19:06.

The men have never won this event, but have twice collected an individual title as Chris McPhee was victorious in 1999 and 2001. His winning time of 20:04 in 1999 still ranks first in Titan history.

Just like the men, the Titan women have never won the meet, but do own a title as Angie Lefere claimed the top spot with a run of 18:50 in 1997. Kim Hemstreet - the lone Titan to ever run in the NCAA Division I Championship - holds the best time in school history at Cass Benton with a 17:58 mark in 2002.

There will be no live scoring, but fans can track the action on twitter by following the Titan Cross Country/Track and Field account.

Titan fans, remember to follow #DetroitsCollegeTeam on Twitter and Instagram at @DetroitTitans and remember to like the Titans on Facebook.