Messenger file photo: Fort Dodge senior Michael Wagner has been the top runner on the boys side for the Dodgers all season long.

Later this month, the best cross country runners in the state will convene at Lakeside Golf Course for the state meet.

But first, many of those same athletes will get an early look at the course when they compete at the Fort Dodge Invitational here Thursday.

Joining the host Dodgers will be St. Edmond, Manson Northwest Webster, Adel-ADM, Ames, Ankeny, Ankeny Centennial, Ballard, Sioux City Heelan, Boone, Carlisle, Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson, Dallas Center-Grimes, Des Moines Roosevelt, West Des Moines Dowling, Indianola, Iowa Falls-Alden, Johnston, Lewis Central, Mason City, Newton, Norwalk, Sioux City East, Sioux City North, Southeast Polk, Urbandale and Waukee.

Racing begins at 4 p.m. with temperatures expected to be in the mid-60s and dry conditions.

As usual, the field is loaded with ranked teams and rated individuals. On the boys side, eight of the Top-16 Class 4A programs are expected to be in attendance led by No. 2 Dowling. Ankeny is fifth followed by Dallas Center-Grimes, Johnston and Urbandale.

Ankeny’s Ethan Zuber is the top-rated 4A runner while Lewis Central’s Ethan Eichhorn is No. 1 in 3A. Eichhorn leads the Titans, who are the top-ranked 3A team with ADM checking in ninth.

St. Edmond is 11th in 1A paced by 26th-ranked Anthony Valles.

The girls field includes Johnston, the top-rated 4A team along with Top-10 teams Dallas Center-Grimes, Ankeny Centennial, Ankeny and Waukee. Gilbert is second in 3A with ADM third and Ballard fourth.

Piper Messerly of Dallas Center-Grimes is rated second in 4A with Claire Helmers from Ames fourth. Ballard’s Ava Vance is fifth in 3A.

The Gaels are currently third in 1A with Hannah Landwehr 22nd and Michaela Leiting 23rd overall. Manson Northwest Webster’s Alyssa Richman is ranked third in 1A.

Last fall, Dowling won the team title while Ankeny Centennial was the winner in the girls race.

The 1A and 4A state meet is set for Oct. 27 with 2A and 3A taking place the following day.