Ridaught: Launch of second indoor track season begins

Jimmy Carnes Track is hosting the 11th annual Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track and Field Meet today at the Alachua County Sport and Events Center. It's the traditional season opener for the indoor track season.
Jimmy Carnes Track is hosting the 11th annual Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track and Field Meet today at the Alachua County Sport and Events Center. It's the traditional season opener for the indoor track season.
Photo by Seth Johnson

Business is booming at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center (ACSEC).

The ACSEC leaps into the new year with likely its largest indoor track event of the season, the Jimmy Carnes Invitational, which begins today.

The traditional season opener features athletes of all ages.

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Last January the ACSEC hosted the 10th Annual Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track and Field Meet in the recently developed state of the art facility.

Carnes, who passed away in 2011, was honored with a track dedication just prior to the event.

He was the University of Florida’s track and field coach from 1964 to 1976, earning 15 top-three finishes in the SEC Indoor and Outdoor Championships.

Carnes, who led the Gators to a dual meet record of 93-3, also helped found the Florida Track Club and the Athletic Attic.

The ACSEC facility, which is located in Celebration Pointe, had an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the official opening in June 2023.

The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) financed the project with $30 million from its tourist development tax.

The investment is paying off.

An estimated 15,000+ visitors are expected to descend upon the ACSEC and Alachua County during the indoor track season, which continues to grow by bidding for National and International events.

The season ends with the NJCAA National Championships (March 1-2), a first-time event for Alachua County.

“By hosting the three conference championships, the NJCAA Indoor Championships and next year’s NAIA Indoor Championships, we hope it will lead to higher level conference championships,” said Richard Blalock, the President/CEO of RADDSports, whose company manages the ACSEC, as well as Champions Park in Newberry.

Starting with today’s Jimmy Carnes event, they are booked every weekend until the end of August.

A couple of days ago, Alachua County was awarded the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships (35 and over age group) in 2025.

The WMA has never been hosted in the USA before and the expectation is to have 4,000-5,000 international visitors.

And more is in the works.

“In April we will be hosting Cheer Canada for 10 days to train before the World Cheer Competition at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney,” Blalock said. “We are also talking with Cheer Ecuador to visit and train for four days prior to the World Competition. Our goal over the next several years is to create an Olympic style cheer village and host 10 countries.”

For media credentials and information, contact Richard Blalock at richard@raddsports.com.

Key Events:

  • Jan. 12: Jimmy Carnes Invitational – Traditional season opener featuring athletes of all ages.
  • Jan. 19-20: RADD Sports Invitational (College/Open/Masters) and RADD Sunshine Showcase for high school athletes, including a unique multi-event. Paired with Speed Capital Florida Meet.
  • Jan. 26-28: Florida Collegiate Invitational (College/Open/Masters) and Legends of Alachua County meet for youth.
  • Feb. 2-3: Celebration Pointe Indoor Classic covering High School, College, Open, and Masters categories.
  • Feb. 9: Last chance meet for Universities for NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA championships.
  • Feb. 10: Second annual Florida High School Indoor Championship with a new middle school section.
  • Feb. 11: USATF Southeast Masters Championships, expecting national and Caribbean athletes.
  • Championship Season: Hosting three college conferences in February.
  • March 1-2: NJCAA National Championships.

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