Marana Mountain View will be hosting the 1st Annual Desert Solstice XC Invitational this Friday night, September 12. The Desert Solstice Invite will more than help fill the void left by the Los Mezquites Cross Country Invitational that is no longer being run in Southern Arizona.

According to Mountain View athletic director Todd Garelick, boy's cross country coach Adam Vargas wanted to start a meaningful race for the community that will benefit both the boy's and girl's programs while providing all runners a "fast and fun track" run under the lights.

The 5K course will be run at the Crooked Tree Golf Course in Marana. As mentioned, all races will be held at night and mostly on grass.

"There will be food trucks and a band playing to make this a true community event," added Garelick.

Middle school races will  begin at 5:30 pm.  Here is the full schedule:

4:30 PM Course Open for Warm-ups
5:00 PM Coaches Meeting at Starting Area
**National Anthem**
5:30 PM Jr High/Middle School Girls 1.5 miles
6:00 PM Jr High/Middle School Boys 1.5 miles
6:30 PM Freshman Girls
7:00 PM Freshman Boys
7:30 PM Girls Open
8:00 PM Boys Open
8:30 PM Community Race/HS Charter Schools
9:00 PM Girls School Varsity
9:30 PM Boys School Varsity
Awards to Follow

AWARDS

Varsity Races: Medals to top 20 individuals
Open Races: Medals to top 15 individuals
Freshman Races: Medals to top 15 individuals
Community Race: Medals to top 20 individuals
Junior High/Middle school Races: Medals to top 20 runners
Trophies to top two Varsity teams
Trophies to top two Junior High/Middle schools teams

SCHEDULED TEAMS

American Leadership Academy
Buckeye
Buena
Canyon Del Oro
Casa Grande
Catalina
Cienega
Deer Valley
Desert Edge
Desert View
Douglas
Ironwood Ridge
Many Farms
Marana
Mountain View
Nogales
Ogden (UT)
Pueblo
Queen Creek
Kellis
Rincon/University
Sahuarita
Salpointe Catholic
San Manuel
Santa Fe (NM)
St Augustine Catholic
Tempe
Tucson High
Vista Grande
Walden Grove
Winslow