Posted May 21, 2026 in Press Releases
CLEVELAND, OH – USA Track & Field (USATF), Greater Cleveland Sports Commission (GCSC) and Sports Alliance of Greater Akron (SAGA) announced today that registration is now open for the 2026 USATF Cross Country Championships, to be held at Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton, OH on Saturday, December 12, 2026.
The 2026 championships represent a historic milestone for the sport as for the first time since 1998, the National Cross Country Championship and Club Cross Country Championship will be held at the same meet, crowning both individual and team champions in a single unified event. The program also marks the debut of U20 categories at the national championship, making 2026 the first time the national, club, and U20 championships have all been contested together.
Nearly 2,000 of the nation's top athletes, coaches, and supporters are expected to compete and attend, generating an estimated $1.5 million in economic impact for the Cleveland/Akron region. The event is a collaborative effort between GCSC, SAGA, and Summit Metro Parks.
USATF and the Cross Country Council believe combining the championships will produce a more competitive event, better aligned with the U.S. cross country calendar and with team selection timelines for international competition. There is no World Cross Country Championship in 2026; however, in years when the meet serves as a selection event for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, the Open and U20 race distances will conform to those of the international competition.
Silver Creek Metro Park's versatile terrain and scenic trails will provide a challenging, spectator-friendly environment for all seven championship races.
2026 Championship Race Distances: Event
Distance
U20 Women: 6K
U20 Men: 8K
Open Women: 6K
Open Men: 10K
Masters Women: 6K
Masters Men (40-59): 10K
Masters Men (60+): 8K
Registration & Pricing
Registration is open on a tiered pricing structure. Participants are encouraged to enter early to save.
Tier 1: Now – September 30 | $50
Tier 2: October 1 – October 3 | $60
Tier 3: November 1 – November 30 | $75
Tier 4: December 1 – December 1 | $90
Preferred Hotel packages & accommodation information will be available by June 8, 2026.
For more information and future updates, visit clevelandsports.org/crosscountry
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About USATF: Based in Indianapolis, USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long distance running, and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world’s oldest organized sports, the most-watched events of Olympics broadcasts, the number one high school and junior high school participatory sport, and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.
About Greater Cleveland Sports Commission: Since 2000, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission (GCSC) is responsible for attracting 270+ sporting events which provide more than $1 billion in economic activity to Northeast Ohio. GCSC serves to measurably improve the economy of Greater Cleveland and enrich the community by attracting, creating, managing and enhancing significant sporting and competitive events. For more information, visit clevelandsports.org.
About the Sports Alliance of Greater Akron: Part of the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Sports Alliance of Greater Akron is the starting point for organizing sports events in the area. The
Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau (ASCVB), established in 1973, is the official destination marketing organization for Summit County, Ohio. Dedicated to promoting the region as a premier travel destination, the ASCVB works collaboratively with industry partners, stakeholders, and the community to showcase Summit County's natural beauty, cultural attractions, and unique experiences.
About Summit Metro Parks: Established in 1921, Summit Metro Parks has been Your Back Yard for more than 100 years. The park district manages more than 16,000 acres throughout 16 parks, two nature centers, one visitors center and over 150 miles of trails, including 22 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal
Towpath Trail. Learn more at summitmetroparks.org.
Download registrationnowopenfor2026usatfcrosscountrychampionships.pdf