PEORIA, Ill. ? The Bradley men's and women's cross country teams will host the fourth annual Bradley Classic at Newman Golf Course, Friday. The race begins at 4:15 p.m. with the men's 8,000 meter and will be followed by the women's 6,000 meter race at 5 p.m.

The 2007 men's field includes the defending Bradley Classic men's team champion, Drake, in addition to other Missouri Valley Conference foes Illinois State, Indiana State, Northern Iowa, and Wichita State. Bradley senior Chris George (Normal, Ill./University) is the top returning competitor from a year ago after placing fifth in the 2006 race. The women's 6K race features defending champion Southern Illinois, who placed four runners in the top ten last year. The top returning runner from the 2006 race is Western Illinois senior Beth Whalen, who turned in a fifth place finish.

The Bradley Classic marks the first event for Braves since the Roy Griak Invitational two weeks ago in Minneapolis, Minn. Senior Nathan Leech (Fremont, Neb.) led the men's team for the third consecutive time this season. Junior Katie Nowak (Avon Lake, Ohio) turned in the top finish for the women's team in her first event of the season. Friday's race will be the Braves last tune-up before the State Farm MVC Championship, Oct. 27 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

This year's event is co-sponsored by Brooks Sports, Peoria Park District, PPD Golf Operations, IPICO Sports, and the Illinois Valley Striders The Bradley Classic is the second of three running events hosted by Bradley University this fall. Newman Golf Course will also serve as the site for the NCAA Midwest Regional for the second time in the last four years on November 10th (Men - 11:00 a.m. / Women 12:15 p.m.).

Friday's Results will be posted on the Bradley Athletics website (www.bubraves.com) after the conclusion of both races.