2024 Big East XC Championship
Trials of Miles Racing, with the support of Georgetown University, is excited to have the opportunity to bring the Big East Cross Country Championship to Morven Park in 2024.
Morven Park provides an ideal setting for a marquee cross country meet. With a variety of intentionally designed natural pathways, great footing, and an honest balance of hills and flats, the course has all the elements required for a high level championship style meet. The wide open fields and connected loops also afford spectators and coaches a direct connection, in multiple areas, to cheer on runners and monitor the overall team standings.
Located in Leesburg, Virginia (roughly 45 minutes outside Washington D.C. and 25 minutes from Dulles Airport) Morven Park is a convenient, centrally located venue for conference schools. Teams traveling to the event will have multiple airport options, and countless affordable hotels in close proximity to the the park.
Below you can find more information on the venue, proposed course layouts, as well as the meet management services that Trials of Miles would provide. We appreciate your time and consideration. Please direct any questions to kris@trialsofmilesracing and dave@trialsofmilesracing.com.
Why Morven Park?
-
![]()
"I took my high school team to the inaugural Trials of Miles Opening Night at Morven Park. The course layout was spectator friendly as you were able to see athletes throughout a lot of the race from a few different locations ... This was a championship style course fit for college conference meets or high school state championships. We will be heading back next year!
Paul Whittaker, Head Coach Mount De Sales Academy
-
![]()
"The location is easily accessible and there is plenty of space at the park for the race course and an area for the tent city and amenities conveniently close by. My team felt the course was a great blend of challenge with the rolling hills and opportunity for fast times with wide pathways and good footing."
Meredith Valmon, Director of Track and Cross Country, The Potomac School
-
![]()
"The course layout and terrain are classic cross country: moderately rolling hills, decent footing, wide grassy trails. The route follows the edge of open fields near the tree line for much of the route, which means there is some degree of shade and a windbreak. The trees also provide visual appeal by breaking up the landscape. The route of the course is pretty good for spectators, allowing people to view the runners in multiple locations with minimal walking/jogging between spots.
John Ausema, Gonzaga College HS Head Coach
Trials of Miles Race Management
Founded in 2020, Trials of Miles Racing has quickly established itself as one of the premiere race management companies in the United States. Trials of Miles currently manages the New Balance National Indoor and Outdoor Championships, and works closely with brands like Tracksmith, REI, HOKA and ON on races, events and activations.
In September 2023, Trials hosted Opening Night, a high school cross country meet, sponsored by New Balance, at Morven Park. The second installment of this event is scheduled for September 2024.
Hiring Key Personnel
As the race management team for the Big East Championship, Trials of Miles would be responsible for hiring and managing all event vendors, including the race timing company, race officials/starter, medical staff and trainers, waste management solutions, food trucks and/or event concessions, and event announcers. Trials of Miles would also oversee staffing of volunteers. Volunteers would assist with event parking, ticketing, course marshaling, and general race-day logistics.
Managing Race Day Logistics
All race day logistics would be managed by the Trials of Miles team. This would include setting up and marking the course, creating the awards and hospitality areas, and managing the event parking and ticketing plans. Trials of Miles would also be responsible for ensuring that the event runs on-time and efficiently.
Overseeing Event Communications
Throughout the 2024 fall XC season, Trials of Miles would handle all event communications with coaches, spectators, and members of the media. This would include managing the meet website, providing biweekly updates to coaches, and being available for regularly scheduled meetings with conference officials.
Proposed Course Layouts
The proposed men's 8K course is made up of 2 1/2 loops around Morven Park's beautiful layout. Each loop consists of a south and north section, with both sections about 1 mile in distance. Starting in a large open field, runners will complete the perimeter of the southern section before heading north and completing the northern section. This will be repeated twice and on the third loop, runners will complete the first mile (southern section) of the course before making a left and finishing just beyond the start line.
The proposed women’s 6k course is made up of 1 full loop, 1 half loop, and 1 partial loop. The full loop consists of a south and north section. Starting in a large open field, runners will complete the perimeter of the southern section before heading north and completing the northern section. After completing this once, runners will complete the first mile of the course (southern section) before repeating half of the southern loop before finishing just beyond the start line.
