The 5th Annual Windy City Invite Returns to Chicago.
Every February, something special happens on Chicago’s South Side. The fastest athletes in the country gather for a meet that has grown into one of the most respected indoor track and field events in America. Now in its 5th year, the Windy City Invite brings together elite collegiate programs, Olympic athletes, national media, and fans who understand this is more than a meet — it’s a moment. Hosted by the University of Wisconsin, the Windy City Invite has evolved into a nationally recognized stage for top-tier competition, continuing to elevate Chicago as a destination for premier athletic events and providing the community with rare access to Olympic-level performances up close.
National Media Coverage: The Windy City Invite has been streamed live on the Big Ten Network and RunnerSpace and covered by major outlets including MileSplit and ABC7 Chicago, delivering national exposure for athletes and world-class competition for fans in the heart of the city. Over The Years: The meet has featured some of the best athletes in the world, including 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist Cole Hocker, Olympians Emmanuel Ihemeje, Romaine Beckford, Adam Spencer, Heath Baldwin, and Roisin Willis, as well as Olympic Finalist Juliette Whittaker. Legendary Olympians such as Justin Gatlin, Bernard Lagat, Zac Ziemek, Selim Nurudeen, and Kelsey Card have also been honored, further cementing the event’s Olympic-caliber reputation.
2026: This year is expected to be one of the most competitive yet. Tennessee’s men’s sprint crew will attempt to break the NCAA National Indoor Record in the 60-meter dash, led by T’Mars McCallum, who ran 9.83 in the 100 meters last season. South Florida returns its NCAA National Championship 4x400-meter relay team, while Wisconsin’s Jalen Williams, an All-American in the 400 meters, looks to break the 45-second barrier. On the women’s side, the Magnificent Mile Run returns, with Wisconsin’s Taylor Kesner, the reigning 2025 NCAA Indoor Champion, headlining the weight throw.
Wisconsin • Tennessee • North Carolina • Purdue • Florida A&M • Howard • South Florida • Louisville • DePaul • Illinois State • Indiana • Chicago State • Akron • Tulane • Valparaiso
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