Storms move NCAA Pre-Nats to Friday: Oklahoma State, Penn State out: How rare is that in running?

The NCAA Pre-Nationals Cross Country Meet, hosted by the University of Missouri, has been moved from Saturday, October 18, to Friday, October 17 because of forecasts calling for severe thunderstorms across Missouri.

Teams were notified Tuesday of the schedule change, giving them three days’ notice to adjust travel and racing plans.

So far, the only confirmed withdrawals are Oklahoma State (#2 in the country on the men’s side, #8 for women) and Penn State men.

Mizzou’s Record of Proactive Weather Decisions

The University of Missouri has a history of adjusting events early in response to weather threats. In September, it moved a football game kickoff two days ahead of schedule due to extreme heat, and in April 2025, it moved the start time of a softball game against top-ranked Texas a day in advance because of a forecast of lightning and heavy rain the next day.

Major sporting events are most commonly moved days in advance for hurricanes or forest fires, but cross country isn’t immune to weather changes.

In 2017, the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships in Louisville had their start times moved up by 1 hour and 45 minutes due to a forecast of inclement weather. In 2019, the NCAA Northeast Cross Country Regionals were moved to a road-race due to snow, and just last October, a heat wave forced cancellation of several high school cross country meets in California.

NCAA XCs in 2018

Horrific Weather in 2018 Didn’t Stop Des Linden at the Boston Marathon

The 2007 Chicago Marathon was abandoned mid-race due to heat that killed at least one runner. The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy canceled the 2012 New York City Marathon. The 2018 Boston Marathon was held in perhaps the most extreme weather conditions ever seen for a major marathon: freezing rain, fierce headwinds, and temperatures in the 30s. Des Linden didn’t have a problem with that.

Discussion: Pre-Nats moved to Fri because there is a 45% chance of thunderstorms   
More NCAA Talk: Nuttycombe, Pre-Nats & other NCAA XC action / Oct 17 & 18