Officially, it’s a race.

Unofficially, the Illini Challenge is a “glorified workout,” according to the Illinois men’s cross country team, which opens its season at the Arboretum in Urbana on Friday.

“Whatever the result is, it’s nothing that we put a whole lot of weight to as a bearing for the rest of the season,” junior Dan Kremske said. “It’s something that we can’t wait to put the jersey on and get out there and really have fun. I think if you’re not having fun on Friday, then you’re probably doing something wrong. So we can’t wait to get out there and put the spikes on for the first time and run as a team.”

On Friday, the Illini are expecting to capture the meet’s title for the sixth consecutive time. But keeping that streak going is not the Illini’s main objective.

“It’s really just a dress rehearsal,” Illinois head coach Wendel McRaven said. “It’s a chance to put on the uniform and go through the routine of being in a meet and all the stuff that goes on beforehand — practicing warm up routines, even the small stuff like eating before a race.”

Butler, Danville Area Community College, the Illinois Cross Country Club and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville are the other teams competing.

The Illini are mostly composed of returning runners. Among 18 on the roster, eight are juniors — six of whom are expected to lead the pack on Friday. Sophomore Jordan Hebert and redshirt freshman Drew Bell are also scheduled to run Friday’s 6K event.

All three freshmen on the squad will run unattached.

While Kremske will be one of the Illini’s top runners competing, all eyes will be on defending meet champion Colin Mickow, who has a 6K personal best of 18:52.

Mickow has emerged as one of the elite runners in the Big Ten, especially coming off a successful track season. He reached the podium at the Big Ten Championships after finishing third in the 10,000 meters.

Finishing second at the NACAC’s Under-23 National Championship has given Mickow more reason to believe he can win Friday’s event. He wasn’t shy to hide his confidence in himself and his team.

“I’m going to win most likely,” said Mickow, who is expected to run with Kremske until the final few kilometers. “We should be able to take the race.

“Freshman year, I had no confidence at the college level. Now, it’s sky-high confidence. I expect to be able to do a lot this season. But I’m not straining myself too much. We got to save ourselves for the more important races of the season.”