Teams travel to Chattanooga for UTC Opener

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Moccasin Bend race course in Chattanooga, Tenn., is the next destination for the Middle Tennessee cross country teams who will take the field for their second race of the season, the UTC Opener hosted by Chattanooga.

The flat fast course is a layout the teams are very familiar with as the Blue Raiders have run here every year for the past five seasons.

"It is a mostly flat course with just a few hills on a pretty course that winds through some wooded areas," head coach Dean Hayes said.

The teams will use the second race on the schedule as another tune-up race as the runners prepare for the bigger races including the Sun Belt Championships on Oct. 31.

Men's runner Festus Chemaoi, winner of last week's Belmont Opener 5K, will challenge the field and should finish in the front of the pack with teammate William Songock and newcomer Chris Mason. Chemaoi placed sixth at last season's Chattanooga Invitational on the same course while Songock came in fifth.

Zamzam Sangau was the runner-up last week in the women's Belmont Opener 4K. Sangau won the Chattanooga Invitational two mile race last season. Marla Bailey was the second Middle Tennessee finisher last season and will continue to improve as the No. 2 runner on the women's team.

Full results and coverage of the event will be available on goblueraiders.com following the race.

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