Richmond Area to Host 2023-2024 USATF Cross Country Championships

The 2023 and 2024 USA Track & Field Cross Country Championships will be staged at Pole Green Park in Hanover County, Virginia, as part of the Richmond Cross Country Festival. The event organized by USA Track & Field Virginia will feature more than 700 athletes, who will be competing each year for national titles and international race qualifications.

The tentative dates are February 4, 2023, and February 3, 2024. Runners at the 2023 event will compete for a spot on U.S. team for the 2023 Pan American Games, while the U.S. team for the World Championships will be selected in 2024.

Richmond Region Tourism, the USATF Virginia Association, Collegiate Running Association and Hanover County also worked to attract the event.

“We’re honored and thrilled to welcome the USA Track & Field Cross Country National Championships to the region,” said Jerrine Lee, vice president of sports at Richmond Region Tourism. “This will be a dynamic and historic event for our community as the country’s best cross country athletes race throughout the 232-acre Pole Green Park.”

Each of the races will feature six national championship events, including: the U20 Women’s 6K Championship Race (under 20 years of age), U20 Men’s 8K Championship Race (under 20 years of age), Senior Women’s 10K Championship Race (open runners 20-39 years of age), Senior Men’s 10K Championship Race (open runners 20-39 years of age), Master’s Women’s 8K Championship Race (runners 40+ years of age) and Master’s Men’s 8K Championship Race (runners 40+ years of age).

Other events that will be attached to the championship are the U.S. Armed Forces National Championships and a citizen’s race that will be open to the public.

“We are tremendously excited to be the host site of the USA Track & Field Cross Country National Championships in 2023 and 2024,” John A. Budesky, Hanover County administrator. “Pole Green Park will be the ideal location for these events and all of our guests will find that Hanover County is a wonderfully accommodating location with our many dining, entertainment and historic attractions. We will look forward to welcoming them.”

“The Virginia Association of USATF is very proud to have been awarded the U.S. Cross Country Championships for 2023 and 2024,” said Ray Funkhouser, USA Track & Field Virginia Association President. “This will bring the very best cross country runners in the United States to Virginia, as they look to earn a spot on the Team that will represent the United States in the Pan AM and World Championships. This is a wonderful opportunity for Virginians and especially young runners to come out and see the very best in the country compete on a course that is very spectator friendly. This event will be an excellent time for many businesses to become involved with this national event and join with us and our partners.”