The Minnesota women’s cross country team will host the ninth annual Jack’s Twilight Run at Les Bolstad Course on Friday evening.

Jack’s Twilight Run was created to memorialize former Minnesota equipment manager Jack Johnson. Johnson worked for the University of Minnesota for over 30 years and died in 2006 after battling cancer.

The run features a 6K race that is open to the public with same-day registration. Participation is free with donations encouraged.

The Minnesota women’s cross country team will be the only collegiate team participating in the run on Saturday.

“We’ll be running against some people from Minnesota run clubs and things like that, whoever all wants to sign up,” said redshirt sophomore Molly Eastman. “It’s fun because it’s back to more of a team aspect. You have to find each other and start running in groups [at this race]. We have to keep the competition up.”

With the Big Ten Championship meet in sight, Jack’s Run plays a role in deciding who will be on the Big Ten team this year, Eastman said.

“We’re able to take nine people to Big Ten’s and race, and right now we have a top eight,” Eastman said. “There are some girls who are racing for that number nine spot, so that’s definitely where the competition comes up.”

The team also hopes to see some successful races this weekend before heading into conference play, Eastman said.

“Since we’re coming at the end of our season, it’s kind of one of those races to get another one under our belt and see how far we’ve progressed throughout the season,” Eastman said. “We’re starting to taper and back off our mileage so we should be starting to get better in our races.”

Minnesota will race at the Big Ten Championships in Falcons Heights, Minn. on Oct. 30.