Cross Country running is one of the disciplines under the umbrella sport of athletics and is a natural terrain version of long-distance track and road running.
Cross country dates back to the turn of the 20th century as an Olympic Sport when it was contested as a team and individual event at the 1904, 1912, 1920, and 1924 Olympic Games. USA Track & Field (USATF) conducts championship events at the Association, Regional, and National levels for athletes of all ages (youth, open, and masters) at a variety of distances.
USATF is the National Governing Body for track & field, long-distance running, and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world’s oldest organized sport, the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the No. 1 high school and junior high school participatory sport, and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.
| USATF Age Divisions – 2025 Season | ||||||||||
| Youth Divisions | Birth Years | Age Range | Adult Divisions | Age Range | ||||||
| 8 & Under | 2017+ | 7-8 | Open | 19-29 | ||||||
| 9-10 | 2015-2016 | 9-10 | Sub-Masters (30-39) | 30-34, 35-39 | ||||||
| 11-12 | 2013-2014 | 11-12 | Masters (40+) | 40-44, 45-49 | ||||||
| 13-14 | 2011-2012 | 13-14 | Seniors (50+) | 50-54, 55-59 | ||||||
| 15-16 | 2009-2010 | 15-16 | 60-64, 65-69 | |||||||
| 17-18 | 2007-2008 | 17-18 | 70-74, 75-79, etc. | |||||||
| Note: Youth divisions are determined by birth year, while adult divisions are determined by birth date. | ||||||||||
| Only a couple meets each year, are combined with Youth and Masters Athletes. | ||||||||||
| The age divisions are designated: Y – Youth, HS – High School, O – Open, M – Masters, S – Seniors. | ||||||||||
| Sub-Masters are included in the Master’s category. | ||||||||||
| USATF Cross Country | ||||||||||
| Course | Y & HS Division | |||||||||
| 2K (1.24 miles) | 8 & Under | |||||||||
| 3K (1.86 miles) | 9-10, 11-12 | |||||||||
| 4K (2.48 miles) | 13-14 | |||||||||
| 5K (3.10 miles) | 15-16, 17-18 | |||||||||