The beauty of Chico's parks and the myriad of running trails therein has helped Chico State Cross Country Coach Gary Towne lure some of the state's top talent, and in turn, build one of the nation's top distance running programs.

When Towne and the Wildcats host the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championships Saturday morning at Hooker Oak Park, he gets to show off his team to the community and show off Chico's beauty to the competition.