Black Hills State cross country is set to debut the 2023 fall season at the eighth annual Gage McSpadden Memorial on Saturday, Sept. 9 at Fort Meade in Sturgis, with the women's race starting at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 6:30 p.m.
 
The women's race will be a 5k while the men will compete in a 6k race. Competing in this year's race will be MSU Billings, Chadron State, South Dakota Mines, and Dawson Community College, along with unattached runners.
 
The Yellow Jackets had multiple runners in both gender groups finish with top-three times at last season's Gage McSpadden, including returners Sylvia Brown and Tim Brown who finished in second and third, respectively. The men's and women's teams also enjoyed a first place overall finish at the event. 
 
Before the race at 6 p.m., cross country will be hosting a community 5K run at 9 a.m. beginning at Lyle Hare Stadium. Registration is $20, and FREE for current BHSU students with a student ID. The entry fee is payable in advance by check to BHSU Cross Country, or the day-of by check or by phone.

The 5K has been held in conjunction with the Gage McSpadden Memorial over the last several years to honor former student-athlete Gage McSpadden, who, then a member of the BHSU cross-country program, tragically passed in the summer of 2015. Proceeds from the 5K benefit the scholarship endowment in memory of Gage McSpadden.