NIRCA Virtual Open Cross Country Nationals

The National Intercollegiate Running Club Association (NIRCA) Cross Country Nationals race is going VIRTUAL for 2020! That means instead of traveling to Mechanicsville, VA, you can choose to run a 6k or 8k from wherever you are and compete against other runners across the country. Unlike previous NIRCA Nationals events, this race is open to all runners of any age and ability. For the first time ever, you can run this NIRCA event with your family members, friends, fellow club runners, or alumni. 

The NIRCA Virtual Open Cross Country Nationals will begin October 24, 2020. Runners have the opportunity to compete anytime between October 24th through November 1st 11:59pm EST. 

For an affordable fee of $5, participants will receive a NIRCA sticker/window decal, printable bib, and certificate of completion. Proceeds from race registration will support future NIRCA races. Registration opens September 24, 2020. 

Before, during, and after the race, please use #NIRCAVirtualNats on social media for an opportunity to be featured on the NIRCA account. Please be sure to follow your university guidelines as applicable regarding COVID-19 restrictions.

Guidelines

Disclaimer: These are unenforceable guidelines, however we highly encourage all participants to follow them to maintain fair competition.

1. Try to limit your net elevation loss throughout the race. We understand that it may not be possible to find a course with no net elevation loss. 
2. While this is being advertised as a XC race, and we encourage racing on a XC-like course, we recognize that this may not be possible for everyone. Please don’t let this prevent you from participating. Feel free to run on the road, however, unless you have no alternatives, please don’t race on a track. 
3. Do your best to create a route that is free of stops (such as stoplights) and run the race continuously.
4. We recommend recording your race with a GPS watch/phone app and uploading your run to RunSignUp, but manual upload is also available. 

The National Intercollegiate Running Club Association (NIRCA) is the governing body and central point of communication for the college running community. The mission of NIRCA is to promote club running for students at the collegiate level. By serving as the governing body for running clubs, we provide competition, support, and networking opportunities for our member clubs. Competition in this event is not a club sanctioned event. By competing in this event, you acknowledge you are running as an individual not affiliated with a club.