Cross-country is one of the largest sports on the high school calendar, for both boys and girls! Each state has a state meet, and the buildup to the state meet is always exciting.
After the state meets (only NY and CA are not completed early in November), the NXR regional meets give athletes from all over the country the chance to qualify with their teams as well as individually for the NIKE Cross Nationals!
But cross-country is not just a U.S. phenomenon; it is a global phenomenon! European Athletics Champs Cross Country will have over 59 federations competing on December 14. On January 10, 2026, all of the best teams in the world will descend upon Tallahassee, Florida, for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships!
This is the first time, since 1992, that the World Cross Country is being held in the U.S.! The U.S. teams will be decided at the USATF Cross Country Championships, to be held on December 6, 2025 in Portland, Oregon, in conjunction with the NIKE Cross Nationals!
Up until 1924, Cross-Country was part of the Olympics. There were team races and individual races as well.
Seb Coe, President of World Athletics, is working to get cross-country approved in the 2030 Winter Olympics!
What do you think?
