SAN MARCOS, Calif. The 7th Annual Cougar Challenge takes place on Saturday, Oct. 20, with the starter's gun for the 5K race going off at 8 a.m. and the 8K race following at 8:45 a.m. The Cal State San Marcos men's cross country team, who returned to the No. 9 spot in the latest NAIA Men's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 Poll, will enter as the race favorite. The Cougars collected their second consecutive Cougar Challenge victory last year after defeating second place Albion by 33 points.The general public is invited to race against the Cougars. For information on how to sign up, click here.