USATF Partners With Nike For Two-Day Event On Dec. 6-7 As Qualifier For 2026 World Cross Country Championships In Tallahassee On Jan. 10

By Keenan Gray of DyeStat

USA Track and Field and Nike announced on Monday that Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Oregon, will serve as the host of both the 2025-26 USATF Cross Country Championships and Nike Cross Nationals on Dec. 6-7.

The two-day event will serve as the qualifier for both the senior and U20 U.S. cross country teams for the 2026 World Cross Country Championships, taking place in Tallahassee, Fla. on Jan. 10. It's the first time since 1992 that the World Cross Country Championships are being held on U.S. soil.

“We are thrilled to announce that the 2025-26 USATF Cross Country Championships will be held alongside Nike Cross Nationals,” USATF CEO Max Siegel said in a statement released.

“NXN has historically brought together some of the brightest young stars for a competitive environment like none other, and with a home world championships on the horizon, we can't wait to celebrate the talent and grit on display for two days of cross country competition.”

The four championship races - men's 10k, women's 10k, U20 men's 8k, and U20 women's 6k - will follow the conclusion of both the championship high school races at NXN on Dec. 6. In addition, USATF will also add both a men's and women's 2k race as part of the selection process for the mixed 4x2k relay team that will be contested at Worlds.

Masters races will take place the following day on Dec. 7.

A prize purse of $30,000 will be awarded in the open races and $5,000 goes to the top Masters competitors. 

The senior teams will select six athletes based on finish at the event for both the men's and women's team to represent the U.S. at Worlds. Two alternates will also be selected for the team but won't travel.

The U20 team will select the top four finishers from each race to represent the men's and women's teams. In addition, one eligible male and female will be selected from among the top three finishers at either NXN or Foot Locker Cross Country Championships. The rank order of place finish at the high school championship events will determine the athlete's eligibility as a member or alternate of the team.