Two Leon County officials are in Oregon in hopes of making sure Tallahassee will once again host the World Athletics Cross Country Championships.
Leon County Commission chair Christian Caban and County Administrator Vince Long are on the three-day trip, on the heels of January’s competition in the state capital that drew more than 15,260 attendees; including 10,000 from outside the county.
It was the first time the World Cross Country Championships has been on U.S. soil since Boston in 1992 and the county’s first-ever world championship sporting event. They’re aiming to snag the next competition, set for 2029.
That, coupled with the sold-out, Savannah Bananas games in February, and the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) “Unleash The Beast” event at Doak Campbell Stadium in March, is stoking a local appetite for more big tourism draws.
Caban, while on a layover in Atlanta, provided a statement to the Tallahassee Democrat regarding the trip’s importance.
“We’re going to Oregon because you don’t win a world championship bid by mail. The people who decide where the World Athletics Cross Country Championship goes next will be in one room, and the bid window opens this fall,” he said in a text message. “January showed the world what Leon County and our incredible community partners can accomplish together.”
The trip is happening the same time the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce released a statement this week in support of bolstering more tourism development opportunities. The Chamber said Tallahassee needs to prioritize destination marketing and major event attractions.
“These events bring visitors who stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants, shop at local businesses and support jobs across our community,” said Michael Dalby, the Chamber’s president and CEO, in a statement. “The Chamber supports continued investment in initiatives that attract these high-impact events, generating positive and meaningful economicreturns for local businesses.”
According to the county, here’s a snapshot of the economic gains by hosting the World Athletics Cross Country Championships:
Caban described the cross country competition as “one of the most exceptional championship events our community has ever seen.”
“We’re excited about the opportunity to bring the championships back so our residents, businesses, and visitors can experience that success once again,” he said. “This trip is an important step toward making that happen.”
Contact Economic Development Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com and follow @TaMarynWaters on X.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Leon County seeks to host 2029 world athletics meet
Reporting by TaMaryn Waters, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By TaMaryn Waters, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
