The Athletics Free State Inter-Region Cross Country Running championship takes place on June 28 at Koedoeslaagte. The 2025 Inter-Region Championship is presented by AFS Fezile Dabi Cross Country and Parys Multisport. The top 20 athletes from each AFS region in each age-gender race category have been identified and entered by their respective regions to participate in this event.

The five Cross Country regions of Athletics Free State include Motheo (Bloemfontein and Jacobsdal leagues), Lejweleputswa (Riebeeckstad, Welkom leagues), Thabo Mofutsanyana (Bethlehem and QwaQwa leagues), Xhariep (Petrusburg, Trompsburg, and Zastron leagues), and Fezile Dabi (Parys and Kroonstad leagues). More than 1000 athletes, representing more than 200 clubs and schools in the province, will gather at Koedoeslaagte for this spectacular event.

“This event provides an opportunity for the top-20 athletes from each district to compete against each other, represent their provincial region, get to know each other, and run an authentic course that many athletes have not experienced before,” says Pierre Fourie, race director and chairperson of Parys Multisport.

All the visiting teams, spectators, and families are looking forward to the warm Parys hospitality, while residents and businesses can expect a high number of visitors to the town this weekend, Fourie said.

“Cycling and running events, like the XCO Cups, Crater Cruise, Cross Country Leagues, Crater Traverse, and Parys Street Mile, have become main tourist attractions and valuable assets to our community,” Fourie added.

He said they are thankful for sponsors, the community, volunteers, and participants for their generous support, and the positive impact it has on the community.