Terre Haute, Indiana, has been selected as one of the hosts for the NCAA cross country championships in the upcoming years. This decision comes as part of the NCAA’s recent announcement regarding championship hosts through the end of the 2027-2028 school year. Along with Terre Haute, other notable sites include Stillwater, Oklahoma; Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Boston, Massachusetts for various indoor and outdoor championships.
For cross country, the schedule looks like this: 2024 will see competition take place in Madison, Wisconsin, followed by Columbia, Missouri in 2025. Terre Haute will host in 2026, while Stillwater takes the reins in 2027. The outdoor championships will see a return to Eugene, Oregon from 2025 to 2028, with all meets being held at Hayward Field.
Indoor track will have its championships in Virginia Beach in 2025, followed by Fayetteville for two consecutive years in 2026 and 2027, and wrapping up in Boston in 2028. The NCAA has made efforts to distribute the cross country meets across different courses, which adds to the challenge for athletes as each venue presents unique conditions.
It’s worth noting that cross country courses can vastly differ; flat courses like Florida State can challenge runners differently compared to hilly courses like Oklahoma State. While Terre Haute isn’t too exciting in terms of sightseeing, it has been praised for its excellent local organizing and course suitability. Improvement investments, like the nearly $4 million at Oklahoma State, also enhance athlete experience.
On the outdoor track side, this will mark a significant run of meets in Eugene. Of the total 15 NCAA meets from 2013 to 2028, a staggering 13 will be held in Eugene. Some may argue that this pattern could be too dominant, suggesting a possible rotation with other venues like Austin, which has successfully hosted in the past.
As these sites line up for the championships, fans and athletes alike look forward to what is shaping up to be an exciting few years for collegiate athletics.
