TULSA, Okla. – The Oral Roberts cross country continues its 2026 campaign in Fayetteville, Arkansas, racing in the annual Chile Pepper Festival hosted by the Arkansas Razorbacks.
 
The men's 8k is set to begin at 10:25 a.m. with the women's 5k following at 11 a.m. Live results will be posted via RunnerSpace.
 
Last weekend the Golden Eagles competed in Stillwater at the Cowboy Jamboree, with the men's team finishing eighth with 249 points and the women's 12th with 343 points.
 
Abraham Chelangam led the way for ORU in the men's 8000 meters running a 23:54.4. Andrew Smithwick followed running a 24:55.7 and placing 39th, while Artwell Magake finished in 25:43.2 and placed 76th.
 
Ossly Murambidzi paced the Golden Eagles in the women's 6k, running a 21:29.3, a personal best, and placing 39th. Madeline Cabana followed with a 23:13.5, and was closely trailed by Sydney Lister who finished in 23:14.7. Baylee Woodrich and Lillian Woolery were the next of the ORU squad to cross the finish line, finishing in 23:37.1 and 23:42.8.
 
Last season at the Chile Pepper Festival, the ORU men's squad finished fifth out of 31 teams. Led by Chelangam who placed third in the 8k, running a 23:29.3, and was the only non-razorback in the top five. Other runners to finish in the top 50 included Andrew Smithwick in 22nd, finishing at 24:37.3, and Cornelious Kipkogei at 44th, running a 24:56.9.
 
The women's team placed 13th overall, as Ossly Murambidzi led the way in the women's 5k with a 43rd-place finish, posting a time of 17:38.2.  Madeline Cabana was right on her heels, finishing 45th, running a 17:38.4.
 
For the latest information on ORU Track and Field and Cross Country, follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or go to www.ORUAthletics.com.