ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell cross country closes its regular season this weekend when it hosts the 29^th annual John Reif Memorial Run on the Moakley Course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course.
 
The men's race will be a five-mile course and allow Cornell's runners to compete in front of a home group of spectators. The course typically runs fast in dry conditions, so rain in the forecast leading up to race day may slow times. As in the past, the Reif Memorial will be a non-scoring meet.
 
The men's cross country team has had a successful season, with groups of runners placing team first at three meets. The Big Red also finished fourth at one of the nation's most prominent meets, the Battle in Beantown, and placed 14^th among a very competitive field at Pre-Nationals in Louisville, Ky., last weekend.
 
Senior Ben Rainero has led the way for Cornell for most of the season, placing an impressive eighth at Pre-Nationals, fifth at the Battle in Beantown and first at the season-opening Brother Jasper Invitational. Seniors Brian Eimstad and Connor Herr have also shown well in their final seasons, while sophomore Dominic DeLuca has been one of the Big Red's top young runners.
 
The John Reif Memorial Run will serve as Cornell's final tune-up before the team heads to Ivy League Heptagonals. The Big Red will be returning to Van Cortlandt Park, the site of the Brother Jasper Invitational earlier this season, when Columbia hosts the league championships next weekend. The men's five mile championship is set for 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 30.