BOSTON – After two weeks off, the Suffolk cross country teams will compete for the final time before the 2018 GNAC Championships as the Rams host the Suffolk Invite Friday, Oct. 12 at Franklin Park.

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THE COURSE
Franklin Park has been a familiar course to Suffolk. A partially-wooded 527-acre parkland in the Jamaica Plain and Roxbury neighborhoods of Boston, it is maintained by the Department of Conservation and creation. 

The park is a famed cross country course, hosting countless high school and collegiate meets throughout the year. Franklin Park is home to the Massachusetts All-States Meet as well as the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship each year. The park includes courses for 5,000 meters, 6,000 meters, 8,000 meters and 10,000 meters. 

At the Suffolk Invite, the women will run a 5K at 4 p.m., with the gun for the men's 8k scheduled for 4:45 p.m. 

THE FIELD
Suffolk will be joined by 27 teams at Franklin Park Friday afternoon. Among the contingent are the familiar foes in six GNAC schools including Emmanuel, Johnson & Wales, Lasell, Regis, Saint Joseph (Conn.) and Simmons. 

BATTLE FOR BOSTON COMMON
The Suffolk Invite will duel as the Battle for Boston Common, a head-to-head race pitting Suffolk against its neighbor Emerson. The victor will be presented with a trophy that will be fought for on an annual basis. 

LAST TIME OUT
On a cool, cloudy day the Suffolk cross country teams faced off against some of the nation's top competition in the annual Purple Valley Classic hosted by Williams Sept. 22. The Rams raced through mud and over hills on the Mt. Greylock Regional High School course. 

MORE READING: Cross Country Runs Against Nation's Best at Purple Valley Classic

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk will run for GNAC glory next weekend, Saturday, Oct. 27 when it ventures to Standish, Maine, for the 2018 GNAC Championships.