Run Florida

🏆 Florida Horse Park Invitational: A Legacy of Champions

For more than a decade, the Florida Horse Park Invitational has showcased some of the top female distance runners and programs in Florida and the Southeast.

Since 2014, individual champions have included Audrey Carpenter (Vanguard), Leigha Torino (North Marion), Caitlin Collier (Bolles), Grace Blair (Oak Hall), Lily Henne (Montverde Academy), Rebecca Bergnes (Braddock), Jillian Candelino (Bolles), Alyson Johnson (Creekside), Daisey Ross (Ponte Vedra), and Annabella Tomasic (Bishop Moore).

The team competition has featured an impressive list of champions, including Vanguard, Pine Crest, Chiles, Oak Hall, Montverde Academy, Braddock, Circle Christian, Osceola, Bolles, and Episcopal. Bolles has been especially dominant in recent years, capturing three consecutive team titles from 2022-2024.

Notable winning performances include:
🔥 Annabella Tomasic (Bishop Moore) – 17:33.3 (2025)
🔥 Alyson Johnson (Creekside) – 18:18.6 (2023)
🔥 Jillian Candelino (Bolles) – 18:26.7 (2022)
🔥 Lily Henne (Montverde Academy) – 18:34.4 (2018)

Year after year, future state champions, collegiate runners, and some of Florida’s strongest teams have raced through the trails of the Florida Horse Park on their journey toward championship season.

Who will be the next athlete and team to add their names to the history books?

🏃‍♀️ The Road to State Starts at the Florida Horse Park.

🏆 Florida Horse Park Invitational: A Legacy of Champions

The Florida Horse Park Invitational has produced some of the fastest performances in Florida cross country history.

Since 2014, individual champions have included Joey Fitzpatrick (Vanguard), Michael Kenney (Pine Crest), Charles Hicks (Bolles), Diego Lavieri-Sosa (Vanguard), Game Montague (Satellite), Javier Vento (Belen Jesuit), Adam Magoulas (Belen Jesuit), Joshua Ruiz (Belen Jesuit), and Marcelo Mantecon (Belen Jesuit).

The team competition has been just as impressive. Chiles claimed the first two championships before Bolles and Vanguard each captured titles of their own. Since 2019, Belen Jesuit has established one of the most dominant runs in Florida cross country history, winning seven consecutive Florida Horse Park Invitational team championships.

Notable course records and winning times include:
🔥 Marcelo Mantecon (Belen Jesuit) – 15:06.6 (2024)
🔥 Joshua Ruiz (Belen Jesuit) – 15:24.9 (2023)
🔥 Charles Hicks (Bolles) – 15:33.2 (2016)
🔥 Game Montague (Satellite) – 15:31.9 (2019)

For 13 years, the Florida Horse Park Invitational has been where state champions, national-caliber runners, and powerhouse programs test themselves against the best.

Who will be the next champion to add their name to the history books?

🏃 The Road to State Starts at the Florida Horse Park.

🏇🔥 PRE-ORDER YOUR 2026 FLORIDA HORSE PARK INVITATIONAL TECH SHIRT TODAY! 🔥🏇

Be one of the first to grab the official 13th Annual Florida Horse Park Invitational event shirt!

These lightweight performance tech shirts are perfect for race day, training runs, and showing your support for one of Florida’s premier cross country events.

✅ Official 2026 Event Shirt
✅ Moisture-Wicking Performance Fabric
✅ Limited Quantities Available
✅ Secure Yours Before They Sell Out

⚠️ Important: These shirts will NOT be shipped. All pre-orders must be picked up on race day under the Run Florida Tent located near the finish line.

👕 Day-of-event shirts will be available in limited quantities, so pre-ordering is the best way to guarantee your size.

🛒 Pre-Order Here:
https://runflorida.square.site/product/pre-order-2026-florida-horse-park-invitational-tech-t-shirts/JX5SQ3UJ4HMMSYPOHO2RLNME

📍 Florida Horse Park Invitational
📅 September 5, 2026
🏃 The Road to State Starts Here!

FloridaXC HighSchoolXC MiddleSchoolXC RunningCommunity CrossCountrySeason RaceDayGear FloridaRunning XCNation FLYRA HorseParkXC

🏁 THE ROAD TO STATE STARTS HERE! 🏁

The journey to championship season begins at the 13th Annual Florida Horse Park Invitational!

Join some of Florida’s top high school and middle school teams as they take on one of the state’s premier cross country venues and begin their march toward postseason success.

📅 September 5, 2026
📍 Florida Horse Park – Ocala, Florida

🔥 The Road to the FHSAA State Championships starts at the Florida Horse Park.
🔥 The Road to the FLYRA Middle School State Championships starts here too.

Whether you’re chasing a personal best, a team title, a state qualifying mark, or simply looking to see where your team stacks up against the best, this is where the journey begins.

🎥 Watch Episode 1 of The Road to State:
https://youtu.be/zILeqL_QXo4?si=yGVtqW7nVMXCNFmS

🌐 More information: RunFlorida.com

Who is ready to begin their Road to State?