MOBILE, Alabama—As the weather cools, the sport of running heats up.

Cross Country moves into it's third weekend of 5-K races this Saturday with an early start for the high-school runners in the Azalea City Cross Country Classic at Brookley, hosted by the University of South Alabama. The first high school race, varsity girls, starts at 8:30 a.m. Collegiate races begin later.

A number of teams and individuals will be coming off strong runs in the Challenge of Champions Invitational and Open races last week at Municipal Park.

Daphne's Alex Guillory and Fairhope's Hannah Evans won the boys and girls open division races with first-place times of 18:06.59 and 21:33.56 respectfully.

Evans was the only sub-22 minute finish for the open girls but Daphne's Kaleigh Akers was not far back at 23:37.28 and Spanish Fort's Brittany Boudreaux eighth at 25:02.15 for the local runners recap.

Guillory had to fend off Brett Erickson of St. Paul's and DHS teammate John Alan Walker who came in less than five and just over 13 seconds behind. Cody Parker of Baldwin County High came in a strong eighth at 19:10.03. The Daphne boys took second place with the 1-3 combo and other scoring leaders securing the runner-up trophy.

In the Invitational division, Fairhope's Thomas Grace turned in a 17:16.87 good for fifth in that elite regional, multi-state meet. Robert Hope of UMS-Wright was the boys winner in a blistering 16:46.6.

In the girls invitational, Spanish Fort freshmen Linsey Hrabovsky (18th) and Sarah Carrico (20th) were the strongest runners from Baldwin County with nice times of 22:08.84 and 22:14.55 behind winner Carmen Carlos of McGill-Toolen Catholic's scorching 18:02.84.

Spanish Fort coach Michael Rauch said his teams struggled a little against the tough competition after a smoother opener at Foley the week before.

“Challenge didn't go well for the most part,” he said. “We had a couple girls who ran strong and a few who didn't. Boys did okay. Our two eighth graders and ninth graders set PRs breaking 19:50 for (a) 5k. Hopefully we will get everyone on the same page this weekend and get to see some rewards for our work.”

The Lady Toros took second and the boys team fourth at Foley the week before.

Fairhope coach Tim Yahr was generally pleased with his team's opening race.

"Our Fairhope teams did a wonderful job on a tough course against great competition. The girls had the toughest run as it was still very hot at 4 (o'clock, p.m.),” he said. “I am excited about the effort the athletes gave. It was a good start to 2012 and I am looking forward to continuing the work necessary for a good finish to our season."

Challenge of Champions results are posted on cfpitiming.com