WHO:

The top two (2) teams per region in each gender will advance to the Championship virtual "race". Team scoring will be calculated using each athlete's best validated time (viewable on the leaderboard), and each team athlete must submit validated results for at least two of the seven weeks. Scoring will be based on regular cross country scoring with points assigned to each athlete (1,2,3,4,etc) and the two teams with the lowest score will advance. Scoring will consist of the standard seven runners, with five placers and two displacers. Total team time will NOT be what ranks the teams.

**Update (10/9/2020) In consideration of recent environmental events impacting the west coast, the NXV requirement of 3 verified submissions in order to qualify for the Championship Race week will decrease to 2 entries. This is to ensure that affected teams still have the opportunity to qualify who otherwise would not have been able to submit scores due to the forest fires. This same decreased requirement will apply to all participating teams across every region.**

Additionally, the top five (5) individuals per region in each gender who are not a member of one of the top two teams will advance to the Championship virtual "race". Individuals will also be required to submit validated results for at least two of the seven weeks. There will be a total of 18 teams and 45 individuals per gender competing in the championship virtual "race". 

WHEN:

11/8                     Final deadline for coaches to verify times for the regular NXV season.

11/10                   Qualifying teams and individuals are announced.

11/11 – 11/14      Coaches and individual qualifiers select a race date, time, and location.

11/12 – 11/14      Race kits are received

11/16 – 11/24      Championship athletes race - Follow Live >

11/24                   Final validated times due by 11:59PM local time

11/25                   Virtual Championship Announcement

HOW ARE WINNERS CROWNED:

The Championship virtual “race” will be scored the same way all other cross-country races are scored. Seven individuals will race on each of the qualifying teams and the top five finishers’ places will be added together to compile the team score.  The top three teams and top three individuals will receive a Nike Cross Virtual trophy.

TEAMS:

• Nike will bring the race to you!  Each team will receive a race kit in a box which will include mile marker signage, field paint stencil, spray chalk/field paint, finish tape, and flagging to line your finish chute.  Each athlete will receive a custom race singlet and NXV race bib.  Coaches should feel to keep the race kit elements, or dispose of them as needed after the race.
• Races will be professionally timed and each coach will work with their prospective Regional Director to coordinate details with their assigned timer.
• Only the seven athletes on the championship team are allowed to participate in the race.
• Teams will be asked to submit a team video which will be featured in the virtual opening ceremonies.

INDIVIDUALS:

• Each athlete will receive a custom race singlet and NXV race bib.
• Individuals are required to run with the AthleticAPP with the Live GPS broadcasting turned on in order to verify their championship race time.  All individuals will need to submit the start time and date of when their race will begin by 11/14 by 5pm PST to add the race to the live race schedule.
• Individuals must run this championship “race” solo, they cannot run with other runners and they cannot submit a race time from a different timed meet they participated in during this timeframe. 
• Individuals will be asked to submit a video which will be featured in the virtual opening ceremonies.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS (for both teams and individuals):

• All courses must be jogged/walked in advance by a coach, parent, or athlete using the AthleticAPP which will verify that the course meets the requirements.  This must be done a minimum of 48 hours prior to your planned race time.  For teams, timers will act as the secondary verification that the course meets the requirements by utilizing a measuring wheel.
• Races must be a full 5K and pacers are not allowed.
• Races cannot be run on a track.
• Courses should consist of surfaces and conditions that would be similar to a true xc course.
• Course can contain no more than 100 meters of continuous paved surfaces.
• The course must be a closed loop which means the 5k course starts and ends in the exact same place.

Upon qualifying for the championship “race” all teams and individuals will receive detailed email instructions that will walk you through selecting a race time, verifying your course, running with the AthleticAPP (for individuals), submitting videos, etc.