Top distance runners will be competing this weekend at Forest Park

This weekend, the nation’s best distance runners will compete in St. Louis for national championships and the opportunity to represent Team USA in international races.

The USA Cross Country Championships take place Saturday at the Central Fields in Forest Park.

The USA Cross Country Championships are the oldest annual national championship in distance running dating back 122 years to 1890. This year’s meet will crown national champions in six different divisions: men’s and women’s masters, men’s and women’s juniors and men’s and women’s open (the pros). The top six finishers in the junior and open division races will qualify to represent Team USA at the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Cross CountryChampionships in March.  The open division will also feature $35,000 in prize money.

In addition to the championship events, there are two races open to the general public: a high school race for grades 7-12 and a community race for runners of all ages.

Both races are a 4 kilometers and will utilize the Championships’ course.  Registration is available at www.usacrosscountrychampionships.com.

Here is the schedule:
8:30 a.m. — 4K high school race
9 a.m. — Community 4K race
9:45 a.m. — Masters women’s 8K
10:45 a.m. — Masters men’s 8K
11:45 a.m. — Junior women’s 6K
12:30 p.m. — Junior men’s 8K
1:15 p.m. — Open women’s 8K
2 p.m. — Open men’s 12K

Awards ceremonies for the open women’s open men’s races will take place at 3 p.m.

It’s free for spectators to watch the runners along the 2K loop. Parking is available for $10, cash only.

For more information on the event, hosted by the St. Louis Sports Commission and Big River Running Co., visit www.usacrosscountrychampionships.com.