Alabama Sweeps the Crimson Classic: Men Post a Perfect 15, Lokira Sets Course Record (2026 Recap)
Final: Alabama won both team titles at the Crimson Classic. The No. 4 Alabama men scored a perfect 15 points in the 8K, and the No. 10 Alabama women won the 6K with 17 points on Friday morning, Oct. 16, at Harry Pritchett Running Park in Tuscaloosa. Dismus Lokira won the men’s race in a course-record 23:05.3, and Caren Kiplagat won the women’s race in 18:31.7.
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It was Alabama’s home meet and its last race before the SEC Championships.
How did Alabama sweep the Crimson Classic?
The men took the top six places. In cross country, a team’s top five finishers count, so a 1-2-3-4-5 finish is a perfect score of 15. Lokira edged teammate Rodgers Plimo by two-tenths of a second, and his 23:05.3 broke the course record of 23:14.3 set by teammate Dennis Kipruto. Alabama had seven of the top 10 men and 10 of the top 20.
The women swept the top four spots in a field of 184 runners. Kiplagat won by more than 30 seconds for her third individual win of 2026, and Milicent Wafula finished seventh to round out the scoring five.
Alabama’s top finishers
| Race | Place | Runner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s 8K | 1 | Dismus Lokira | 23:05.3 (course record) |
| Men’s 8K | 2 | Rodgers Plimo | 23:05.5 |
| Men’s 8K | 3 | Duncan Gituku | 23:09.1 |
| Men’s 8K | 4 | Dennis Kipruto | 23:12.3 |
| Men’s 8K | 5 | Ezekiel Pitireng | see official results |
| Men’s 8K | 6 | Bismack Kipchirchir | 23:16.8 |
| Women’s 6K | 1 | Caren Kiplagat | 18:31.7 |
| Women’s 6K | 2 | Cynthia Jemutai | 19:02.2 |
| Women’s 6K | 3 | Mildred Rono | 19:06.0 |
| Women’s 6K | 4 | Brenda Tuwei | 19:08.6 |
| Women’s 6K | 7 | Milicent Wafula | 19:34.4 |
Key numbers
| Stat | Alabama men | Alabama women |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 8K | 6K |
| Team score | 15 (perfect) | 17 |
| Team finish | 1st | 1st |
| Individual winner | Dismus Lokira | Caren Kiplagat |
| Runners in top 10 | 7 | 5 |
Head coach Dan Waters pointed to what comes next: “The SEC’s is our next big task” (via RollTide.com).
Who does Alabama race next?
The 2026 SEC Cross Country Championships are Friday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. Central at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course, hosted by Missouri. NCAA regionals and nationals come after that.
Where should you watch Alabama this weekend in Tuscaloosa?
Football is the big one. Alabama plays at Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2:30 p.m. Central. See our Alabama at Tennessee preview, our guide to sports bars in Tuscaloosa and our Tuscaloosa bars and nightlife guide. For today’s deals, check the Saturday bar and food specials.
If you go out, plan your ride first. UA’s 348-RIDE night service (205-348-7433) and rideshare apps both run on weekends. You must be 21 to drink.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2026 Crimson Classic cross country meet?
Alabama won both the men’s and women’s team titles on Oct. 16, 2026. Dismus Lokira won the men’s 8K and Caren Kiplagat won the women’s 6K.
What is the Crimson Classic course record?
Dismus Lokira set the men’s 8K course record at 23:05.3 at Harry Pritchett Running Park, breaking Dennis Kipruto’s 23:14.3.
When are the 2026 SEC Cross Country Championships?
Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at 10 a.m. Central at Missouri’s Gans Creek Cross Country Course.
Scores and statistics are from the official results and recap on RollTide.com. Own a bar or restaurant near campus? Sponsor our game recaps.
Clay.
As founder of TuscaloosaStudentHousing.com, he combines that local knowledge with hands-on research of the Tuscaloosa rental market to publish practical, honest guides for University of Alabama students living off campus.
