The biggest meet for North Carolina athletes is in South Carolina this weekend! The Taco Bell Classic has always attracted a strong set of entries from our state (as well as Georgia), particularly in the sprints and relays. There has also traditionally been good talent in the distance races, although warm temperatures have sometimes hindered performances in those events. This year, though, two factors may come together to push the distance races to the forefront of this meet, even though there is national-caliber talent in other areas, too.
While it won't be as cool in Columbia as it will be in our own state this weekend, it's still below what you would call "ideal sprinting temperature." One athlete's loss is another's gain, though, and it's no secret that the distance races benefit from the cool air. It also helps that the distance races are LOADED, with prominent North Carolina athletes and teams squaring off against the best from the Southeast (and even from as far away as New York and Pennsylvania). Every event is competitive at the Taco Bell Classic, but this could be the year that distance runners reign supreme!
Check out the top North Carolina talent that's heading south for the weekend in our two-part preview starting on the next page, or use these links:
Girls Preview - Boys Preview
More Taco Bell Classic Coverage
- Watch LIVE!
- Entry List
- Full Meet Preview: Lockwood's Lockdown
- Meet Records: Boys - Girls (from the MileSplit database)