Riverdale, NY - U.S. Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano will headline a day of festivities Friday, October 11, as Manhattan College hosts its inaugural pre-meet expo ahead of the 47th annual Manhattan College Cross Country Invitational.
A four-time USATF national champion, Manzano was born in Guanajuato, Mexico and grew up in Marble Falls, TX. In 2004, he moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas, where he broke the four-minute barrier. He graduated in 2008 after winning five NCAA national titles, then qualified for his first Olympics in Beijing. Manzano competed in his second Olympic Games in London in 2012, taking home a silver medal in the men's 1500m. He continues to run professionally, and is sponsored by Hoka One One.
Manzano's talk will be just one of many highlights throughout the pre-race expo, which will begin at 3:00 p.m. with a packet pick-up for all competitors outside the Manhattan bookstore. Attendees will also at this time be treated to a tour of campus highlighting Manhattan College fun facts (tours of campus will be conducted during the invitational on Saturday, as well).Â
At 4:00 p.m., Kevin Monaghan '77, the senior vice president and managing director of digital media for NBC Sports, will moderate a discussion panel on "Running Successfully at the Collegiate Level: Tips, Suggestions and Advice." Track coaches from Manhattan, Iona, Fordham, St. Francis Brooklyn and NYU are confirmed to participate.Â
The "Taste of the Bronx" dinner and Manzano keynote will begin at 5:00 p.m. in the great room of the College's Kelly Commons.Â
The entry fee for the Manhattan College Cross Country Invitational provides access to all these expo activities. Those planning to attend are asked to register
HERE.
Regular registration for the Invitational, the country's largest one-day meet, is open through September 24.
Late registration will run through October 5. The meet will be held Saturday, October 12 in Van Cortlandt Park.
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