2026 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 Pole Green Park in 2026. As the team that produced the 2024 Big East Championship, we would love the chance to continue working with the conference to elevate this marquee event.

Pole Green Park is widely regarded as the most iconic cross country course in Virginia and one of the premier venues on the East Coast. The facility has hosted numerous championship-level events, including the 2023 and 2024 USATF National Cross Country Championships, multiple Atlantic 10 and NJCAA Championships, and countless high school district, regional, and state meets. Known for its smooth, 100% grass and dirt surface, wide paths, and well-groomed loops, the course provides ideal conditions for championship racing and exceptional visibility for coaches and spectators.

Located just 10 miles from Richmond International Airport and minutes from I-295, Pole Green offers quick and easy travel access for all conference schools. Hanover County Parks and Recreation maintain the venue at the highest level, ensuring a pristine, championship-quality course each fall.

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.com and cooper@trialsofmilesracing.com

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FACILITY/Course PREVIEW

Men’s 8k Course

** Women’s 6k Course Follows the same route, but is 3 loops instead of 4**

Why POLE GREEN?

  • Recent Events At Pole Green

    •USA Cross Country Championships

    •USATF National Cross Country Championships

    •NJCAA Division 1, 2, & 3 Cross Country Championships

    •Atlantic 10 Conference XC Championships

    •CSAC [Colonial States Athletic Conference] Championships

    •University of Richmond Spider Alumni Invitational

    •VA XC SHOWCASE

    •VHSL Regions 3-5 Championships

    •VA Middle School State XC Championships

  • CHAMPIONSHIP STYLE 2k Loop

    Pole Green Park offers an ideal championship setting, with a purpose-built 2K loop course that will serve as the foundation for both the 6K and 8K races. Designed to host the 2023 and 2024 USATF National Cross Country Championships, the loop balances speed and rhythm with wide, smooth paths and gradual turns that encourage fast, uninterrupted racing. The course averages 12 meters in width, with a start line that can easily accommodate 600+ athletes and a 200-meter straightaway finish that showcases decisive moments of the race.

    For fans and coaches, Pole Green is one of the most spectator-friendly venues in the country. Its open layout and compact loop format allow for excellent visibility across the course, while the start and finish areas sit side by side, making it easy to follow the action throughout

  • Convenient Location

    Beyond the course itself, Pole Green Park benefits from its convenient location just outside Richmond, Virginia. The venue is only 10 miles from Richmond International Airport and minutes from I-295, making travel simple and efficient for all conference schools. Richmond also offers a wide range of affordable hotel and restaurant options in close proximity to the course, ensuring teams and fans have an accessible and comfortable event experience. The Trials of Miles team has already identified hotel partners, linked below, to make planning even easier.

HOTEL INFORMATIOn

Trials of Miles has already identified several hotel partners where teams will be able to reserve rooms at an affordable rate of $169 per night. These options have been selected with convenience in mind, making the booking process as simple as possible for teams as they prepare for the championship. More details, including specific hotel names, can be found below, and additional information on how to secure these rates will be provided should we move forward.

Trials of Miles Race Management

In 2024, Trials of Miles Racing worked closely with the Georgetown team to produce the Big East Cross Country Championship at Morven Park, creating a world-class experience for athletes, coaches, and spectators. We also collaborated with the Big East team to ensure that resources were effectively managed and the meet was carried out in compliance with all Conference standards and requirements. Building on this success, we are eager to continue elevating the profile of the meet, enhancing the championship experience, and exploring new opportunities for engagement, visibility, and overall event excellence.

Founded in 2020, Trials of Miles Racing is one of the premier race management companies in the United States. We currently manage the New Balance National Indoor and Outdoor Championships and partner with top brands like Tracksmith, REI, HOKA, and ON to deliver high-quality races, events, and activations across the country.

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 and starter, waste management solutions, food trucks and concessions, and event announcers. We would also oversee the staffing and coordination of volunteers, who would support key functions such as event parking, ticketing, course marshaling, and general race-day logistics.

In addition, Trials of Miles would coordinate closely with the Big East Championship Commissioner and the Georgetown University Head Athletic Trainer to ensure all medical protocols are properly addressed. This includes creating the official Championship Handbook with current-year content, securing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel with comprehensive life-saving credentials, and arranging for ambulance transport if necessary. Our team would also work in direct support of the Georgetown athletic training staff as well as the medical personnel from all participating Big East member schools to provide complete medical coverage and ensure the safety of all student-athletes, coaches, and attendees.

Managing Race Day Logistics

All race-day logistics would be managed by the Trials of Miles team to ensure a seamless and professional championship. This includes designing, staging, dressing, and marking a championship-caliber course, as well as producing detailed graphic course maps for review in the weeks leading up to the meet. In addition, Trials of Miles would create and manage the awards and hospitality areas, oversee event parking and ticketing plans, and ensure compliance with all Big East branding standards, including the positioning and display of logos and sponsor signage. On race day, our focus is on executing efficient, on-time operations while adhering to all Big East Conference Championship standards and protocols. By taking ownership of these details, we ensure a productive and successful experience for student-athletes, coaches, families, and fans.

PROVIDING A CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE

Trials of Miles is committed to ensuring that both coaches and athletes have a truly world-class experience at the Big East Cross Country Championship. We will help ensure that everything runs smoothly even beyond race day — securing hotel blocks for teams, providing families with clear information about the area, and working directly with coaches to accommodate any specific needs. We also coordinate the award ceremony, media coverage, and all of the additional details that contribute to a polished, memorable championship atmosphere.