Youth age group program leading to National Championship
USATF New England Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships Sunday, November 15, 2026 HOPKINTON FAIRGROUNDS, HOPKINTON NH Registration Schedule Course Maps Parking Region 1 Advancement Girls and boys races in two year age groups from age 8/under to 15-18 based on year of birth.
Please read all instructions before entering any of the meets ELIGIBILITY USATF Membership - All entrants must have a 2026 or 2027 USATF membership; 2027 membership begins on November 1. Membership information can be found HERE Entrants must also have birthdate verified (see below) Citizenship - Only U.S. citizens, aliens living in the United States, and foreign exchange students are eligible to compete in the Championships. Age Divisions - Age divisions are determined by year of birth (NOT age on event day). A competitor must compete in his/her age division only - no "moving up". Age 8/under Note: While there is no minimum age, all runners must run unassisted and be able to finish in the time before the next race on the schedule. Nationals age note: Runners MUST be born in 2017 or 2018(age 7 or 8) to run in the National Championship. 6 year olds (born 2019+) may run in the New England and Region 1 meet, but will be marked as "exhibition" at Region 1 and may not score for a team. They are not counted among the top 30 advancing from Region 1 to Nationals. Age 15-18 Note: The oldest two age groups (15-16, 17-18) run together. Individuals in those races are scored in 2 year age divisions, but teams are scored in a combined 4 year age group. Date of Birth Verification Each athlete's date or birth must be verified as part of their USATF member profile before the athlete's entry can be completed. If the athlete's date of birth has been verified in the past and their membership was renewed, the verification carries forward. The Proof of Birth (birth certificate, passport, certified baptismal record, driver’s license, U.S. government identification) must be uploaded to the athlete's USATF Connect profile by a parent or a club coach only. USATF-NE cannot upload birth verification material. TEAMS Club Eligibility Clubs must be a current (2026 or 2027) USATF member club in the New England association, and the club administrator and coaches must be SafeSport / background screening compliant. New 2027 club membership begins on November 1. SCHEDULE / AGE DIVISIONS / RACE DISTANCES
COMPETITION Individual Awards: The top 15 finishers in each race division will receive awards which will be distributed in the finish area. Team scoring: The top 5 finishers score for a club. (Club affiliation must be on the individual runner's membership record.) If a club has more than 8 runners entered in a division race, only 8 athletes may score. The scorers must be declared at registration 1 hour before the race. A and B teams of 5 to 8 runners are allowed if properly declared at least one hour before a specific race. Contact office@usatfne.org for the declaration process
COURSE: The Hopkinton Fairgrounds Cross Country Course was constructed at the fairbrounds in 2010, and has been improved each year. The course is managed by the Hopkinton Runners Society (a non-profit and USATF member organization) and a growing number of events are hosted there including the New Hampshire Middle School and High School championships and NCAA Regional qualifying races. The all grass surface over 1km and 2km loops are a good test for harriers of all ages. With multiple loops and paths through wide field areas, the course provides for good spectating and competition. Course Maps to be posted by June 1 There will be a defined flagged area for team tents COURSE PREVIEW - A "preview race" with several distance races will be held Sunday, October 18. Details will be posted on a separate web page Race Weekend Saturday - There is limited course availability on Saturday with an NCAA event taking place until 2:00 p.m.; no other runners are allowed on the course at that time. Sunday - Course is available for preview but may be limited while races are on the course after 10:30 a.m.
Event entry is entirely online at athletic.net Clubs and unattached individuals must set up an account on athletic.net to enter the meet. The entry link will include instructions on setting up an athletic.net acccount. All club entrants must have their individual USATF membership affiliation with that specific club. Entry deadline for the New England meet is Friday, November 14, at 10:00 a.m. There is NO LATE ENTRY and no day of the event entry. Parking Parking in large lots is available at the adjacent Fairgrounds parking lot, a short walk from the course. The parking fee is $10 per vehicle. Cars parked on nearby roadways or private lots are subject to ticketing and towing. REGION 1 CHAMPIONSHIP The top 5 teams and other individuals finishing in the top 30 in each race qualify to compete in the Region 1 Championship meet on Sunday, November 22 at NOBLE High School in Berwick, Maine.. Region 1 entry willl be on athletic.net - available after New England results are posted on Monday evening, November 16. *** Region 1 entry will closes on Wednesday, November 18 at 11:59 p.m. NO LATE ENTRY. REGION 1 WEBSITE Waivers into Region 1 from New England - Individuals having a conflict due (only) to competing in scholastic championship meets on November 14 or 15 may request a waiver to run in the Region 1 meet. Individuals requesting waivers must be entered in the New England meet (with fee paid). Email request for waivers to youth@newengland.usatf.org NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Saturday, December 12, Lafayette Louisiana WEBSITE
SafeSport Training USATF New England encourages athletes and parents to become aware of SafeSport to help us create a safe environment for the athletes. Training and other resources are available here: http://bit.ly/AthleteSafety There is a recommended parent SafeSport course (no fee)