About Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational
Loyola Chicago cross country is hosting the 47th annual Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational at the Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course on Chicago's north side, on Friday, Sept. 25.
The meet will consist of two races per gender. The Tom Cooney Championship Races will kick off the action with the women's 6k at 9 a.m. and men's 8k at 9:40 a.m. CT. The women's Open Division 6k will follow at 10:20 a.m., followed by the men's Open Division 8k at 11 a.m.
Invitational sections are limited to 10 athletes per team, and teams accepted to the invitational race may enter up to five additional athletes in the open races. The goal is to host 18 teams in both the invitational and open races. In the championship races, teams will be able to run up to 10 athletes.
This meet is designed to provide strong scoring opportunities and takes place two weeks before Wisconsin Nuttycombe and three weeks before Pre-Nationals.
Spectator Admission for the 2026 Loyola Lakefront Invitational is $10 per person. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance online or by calling the Loyola Ticket Office at (773) 508-9653. Please note that on-site ticket sales will be credit card only — no cash will be accepted. Click here to purchase tickets.
Students from participating schools will receive free admission with a valid student ID.
The Loyola Lakefront Invitational began in the 1970s before being renamed the Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational in honor of former Rambler student-athlete Sean Earl. Earl ran in the late 1990s before being diagnosed with testicular cancer and passing in 2000. Former Loyola track & field head coach Marc Burns renamed the Lakefront Invitational to the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational in the fall of 2000. A race already rich with a 28-year history had a new purpose — one to honor a former Rambler. The event was originally founded by Loyola alum and former coach Tom Cooney, who continues to serve as Meet Technical Manager today.
