Heavy traffic expected for NCAA Cross Country championships
Euphenie Andre
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Organizers are expecting a large crowd for Saturday’s NCAA Cross Country Championship, and that could mean heavy traffic around the Gans Creek Concourse.
Fans planning to attend must purchase parking passes online in advance—no passes will be sold on-site. Tickets for the event are still available and can be purchased online the day of the meet.
The University lists three parking options for sale—Red, Orange, and Purple—all within a 10-minute drive of the course:
Red Lot: 2800 Maguire Blvd, $12
Orange Lot: 2810 Lemone Industrial Blvd, $6
Purple Lot: 3101 Lemone Industrial Blvd, $6
Shuttles will run from each lot to the course starting at 6:30 a.m.
Additional parking is available at 4210 through 42240 Phillips Farm Road and 4780 Discovery Drive. Those lots are booked from 5:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. that day. Shuttle buses will run from the lots.
There will be two main points of entry: One designated for shuttle drop-offs and two parking lots close enough for attendees to walk. Organizers said pedestrians will be guided to cross at supervised points where public safety officers can help direct them to the ticketed access area.
Megan McConachie, spokeswoman for the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau, said safety has been the top priority throughout the planning process. She said several city departments have been involved in coordinating traffic flow and logistics leading up to race day.
“We working with our streets department, our parking folks, or public safety so that– A, they know what’s going on and B, they can also advise us because that’s their area of expertise on moves we might need to make,” McConachie said.
McConachie added that the satellite parking setup is designed to reduce congestion and get fans to the course safely.
“So having those satellites parking places as well as is just going to alleviate some of that traffic. It’s going to be mostly people coming in on shuttles and they’re going to kind of stop at a point that’s before where they’re going to encounter any athletes,” she said.
Drivers will see signage along Highway 63, Discovery Parkway, and East Gans Creek Road reminding them to watch for pedestrians. The Columbia Police Department will have three officers on site to manage traffic. Officials advise drivers to allow extra time and follow law enforcement directions.
Beyond the crowds and traffic, the championship brings a major economic boost to the area. According to the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau, this weekend’s event is expected to generate $1.2 million in revenue for local businesses, from restaurants and hotels to shops and attractions.
Organizers say that careful planning of parking and shuttles helps ensure fans can enjoy the event safely—and support the community at the same time.