Ashton Cross Country Course

Hawkeye Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52242

The University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country squads have a new home for training and competition, the Ashton Cross Country Course. The course is located west of the former facility, Finkbine Golf Course, and adjacent to the University’s West Campus project, which includes the Athletic Hall of Fame and soccer fields. It will be able to accommodate races of 5,000, 6,000, 8,000 and 10,000 meters.

The course boasts a rolling terrain with an outstanding rhythm for running. The Hawkeye cross country squads will have the advantage of a large grass area for training and racing. Some features include a 2,000-meter perimeter and a layout that will enable spectators to view the entire race, from start to finish, from one vantage point. The first co-ed event to be held on the course was the Iowa Invitational on August 29, 2003.

The leadership gift for the course was made by former Hawkeyes Bill and Jim Ashton. Bill, of Davenport, IA, graduated from the University’s College of Engineering in 1962, and earned his master’s degree in 1963. Jim, a 1964 University of Iowa College of Engineering graduate, currently resides in Dallas, TX. The Ashton brothers both lettered in cross country under former Hawkeye men’s coach, the late Francis X. Cretzmeyer, and made the lead gift for the course in his honor.

Click HERE for more information about the generosity of Bill and Jim Ashton.