Athlete Information
Competition Information
Travel Information
Eligibility Requirements
General Eligibility
Individual Entry
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On-time registration for this event is $40.00 and is open until 12/1/2019 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Sign up by this date to avoid late fees during late registration. Late registration is $65.00 and will be open until 12/6/2019 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
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All Open athletes must be U.S. citizens 16 years of age or older on the day of the competition and must be current members of USATF in good standing.
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The Masters Championship races are open to all current members of USATF in good standing 40 years of age or older on the day of competition, including Permanent Residents. However, only US citizens shall be awarded individual championship medals or score for a team.
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Athletes will not be permitted to compete unless they have a current USATF membership and have completed the online entry process.
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Club Affiliation: Athletes must be bona fide members of a current USATF member club in order to represent a club and score team points. All athletes entering as part of a club must be affiliated with that club as part of their USATF membership profile. An athlete's current affiliation can be viewed in their
membership profile and as part of the online entry process. Athletes wishing to change club affiliations can make such a request through the Membership Chair of their
local Association. Note that this request must be made by the athlete - see Regulation 4 in the
USATF Governance Manual. Any club affiliation change is the athlete’s responsibility and must be completed prior to the registration deadline of Dec. 6, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. No club affiliation changes will be processed or considered after this deadline.
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Sponsor Affiliation: In addition to a club affiliation, athletes are able to represent one (1) corporate sponsor. This corporate sponsor must be a registered USATF Corporate Member and be part of the athlete's membership profile. Corporate Membership applications can be obtained by sending an email to
membership@usatf.org. All sponsor affiliations must be completed prior to the online entry deadline. No sponsor changes will be accepted after this date for the Championships.
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Cross Country is basically a team sport, but participation is not limited to teams and individual entries will be accepted. Club athletes without complete scoring teams and all "Unattached/Non-Scoring" athletes (those athletes not affiliated with a registered USATF member club on their membership profile) may participate but will not be factored into team scores.
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There are no performance standards to participate. The USATF XC Council reserves the right to establish criteria for entry in separate races if entry numbers and course conditions dictate. No eligible runner will be turned away from competition.
Team Entry
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In order to enter a team, the club must first be a current registered USATF member club.
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The preferred method for all Team Entries is through the USATF Online Registration System using the Team Entry Module prior to online entry deadline of Dec. 6, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. It is possible for each team member to enter independently. However, each member of a club team must select their club affiliation and team division correctly during their online registration process. Club affiliation is the athlete’s responsibility and must be completed prior to the registration deadline of Dec. 6, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. No club affiliation additions will be processed or considered after this deadline.
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The Team Entry Module on the right side of the online registration webpage labeled “Club Login” can be accessed by team captains to enter entire teams and/or manage their team rosters once individuals have already entered. Access to the USATF Club Management Area is available to the person listed as the main club contact on your original yearly member club application form, as well as club coaches and club administrators as designated by the main club contact. To gain access to your club’s team entries, e-mail your club's main contact with your name, individual membership number, and role within the club. Note: Access to the Club Management Area is limited to those people who are current individual members of USATF. This access will close at the online entry deadline.
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Once the online registration system has closed at 11:59 p.m. PDT on Dec. 6, 2019, complete scoring teams shall have a final opportunity to declare their scoring members in person at packet pick-up until 6:00 p.m. the day before the race. Team declaration forms will be provided. No team roster additions or affiliation updates shall be permitted at this time. No email, text or phone team declarations will be accepted after the online registration deadline.
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Once the online registration system has closed, no further race registration shall be allowed except in emergency situations as determined by the Games Committee. Contact
crosscountry@usatf.org. Please indicate which race you wish to be considered and whether or not you wish to be added as a member of a club team. In the past, few emergency registrations have been allowed. Please enter on time.
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Only teams consisting of duly accredited representatives of a member club shall be eligible to score as a team. In order to represent a club team all individuals must be affiliated with the club as indicated on each athlete’s USATF membership profile.
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Athletes wishing to change club affiliations can make such a request through the Membership Chair of their
local Association. Note that this request must be made by the athlete. See section above.
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All members of a club team must be current USATF members and meet all criteria for representation established in USATF Operation Regulations 4, 5 and 6.
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All athletes declared as scoring members of a club team must meet the requirements of USATF Competition Rule 4 (Rule 341.8 for Master team runners).
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Club teams must meet the requirements of USATF Competition Rules when they enter the event and when they declare their teams. As teams enter or should any discrepancies be reported prior to race day, the Games Committee will examine all entries to ensure compliance and will make every effort to contact teams not in compliance before the team declaration deadline at 6:00 p.m. on the day before the race.
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The number of entries for a team shall be unlimited. However, the number of declared scoring members of a team is set by rule. For all Open teams; five individuals shall score with a maximum of eight individuals declared per team. For Master Men 40+ and Men 50+ teams; five individuals shall score with a maximum of nine individuals declared per team. For Master Men 60+, 70+ and 80+ teams and all Master Women’s teams; three individuals shall score with a maximum of five individuals declared per team. Any final team declarations must be made in person by 6:00 p.m. on the day before the race.
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Clubs may enter multiple teams and must designate the teams as "A", "B", "C", etc., prior to final declarations at 6:00 p.m. on the day before the race. In the absence of a formal declaration for multiple teams, only one team from that club shall be scored and additional runners shall be considered "non-scoring" athletes.
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If a club team fails to declare their scoring members prior to 6:00 p.m. on the day before the race and has more than the maximum number of allowable declared runners entered, then, by default, their scoring team will be comprised of up to the maximum number of scoring members allowed for an “A” team only, chosen sequentially from their alphabetical Status of Entries list on the event webpage. (i.e., if you enter 10 runners in the Open race and do not declare your scorers by the deadline, then we will take the first 8 runners listed alphabetically on the Status of Entries webpage as your “A” team.)
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Members of depleted teams that are unable to fill the necessary scoring number may race as individual entries.
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If a team competes with an ineligible runner, a protest can be filed within one hour after race results have been posted. See USATF Competition Rule 146.
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Pursuant to USATF Competition Rule 4.2, in
Open Cross Country competition, an athlete who is a non-resident member of an Association is eligible to compete for a team in that Association
only if the athlete: a) resides in an adjoining Association within the government-defined Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) of a city which is primarily in the neighboring Association as approved by the appropriate sport committee or council; or b) has historical membership based upon Association residency (at least 3 continuous USATF membership years) is eligible to compete for that club. Questions should be directed to:
crosscountry@usatf.org.
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Pursuant to Rule 341.8, Masters Cross Country Teams shall represent current member clubs of USATF, verified through the national office. USATF Association, Regional, or National “all-star” teams are not eligible to compete in Masters Long Distance Running Team competition. Team members shall be affiliated with the club they are representing on their USATF membership profile prior to entering the competition. One athlete per team (i.e., Club M50+ team) who is a non-resident member of an Association is eligible to compete for a team in that Association.
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Reminder: Changes in runner’s Club Team affiliation must be made prior to the online entry deadline and shall be reflected in each runner’s online USATF membership profile. See above for details on changing club team affiliation. No club team affiliation changes will be accepted after the online entry deadline of 11:59 p.m. PDT on Dec. 6, 2019.
Final Team Declarations
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The XC Council will provide a final team declaration form for use on site at packet pick-up.
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Final team declarations are due by 6:00 p.m. on the day prior to the start of the championships.
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If a club team fails to declare their scoring members prior to 6:00 p.m. on the day before the race and has more than the maximum number of allowable declared runners entered, then, by default, the first maximum allowable number of scorers per club team alphabetically listed on the event’s Status of Entry webpage shall comprise the club’s declared team. In this situation, no additional “B” team will be created or additions permitted.
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The coach/team manager/team representative may change their club team declarations online up until the close of online event registration system at 11:59 p.m. PDT on Dec. 6, 2019 or submit a final declaration form in person at packet pick-up until 6:00 p.m. on the day prior to the start of the championships. No email, text or phone team declarations will be accepted after the online entry deadline.
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At the 6:00 p.m. close of final team declarations, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) through their timing services provider shall immediately generate a final list of declared team members for all championship races. These will be posted at the technical meeting.
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Starting box assignments will be announced and posted at the Technical Meeting. On race day, you can check with the Clerk of Course at the start line for Starting Box assignments.
Masters Athletes
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Back bibs: In addition to the front transponder bib, all Master runners must wear an age/gender “back” bib pinned to the back of the outermost layer of clothing that they will wear in the race. Please use 4 pins to affix the “back” number in such a manner that it is visible to any runner behind them and will not flip up. Any competitor failing to wear a competition bib number on the front and a visible age/gender “back” number will be subject to disqualification. If your packet is lacking a “back” number, extras will be made available at packet pick-up and at the start line. Per USATF Competition Rules, “bibs are to be worn as issued”. They should not be crinkled, folded or cut.
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Age Verification: Unless your date of birth/age has already been verified according to your USATF online membership profile, all entries must be accompanied by a copy of a legal document (passport or birth certificate) in order to verify date of birth and citizenship. If you have a valid passport at the time of entry, please use a copy of the information page of your passport as verification of citizenship and birth date. These copies will not be returned. You must FAX the copy of your passport or birth certificate, with your membership number, event, and championships name ("USATF National Club Cross Country Championships") written in it to: USATF National Office at 317-261-0514 no later than December 5, 2019 by 5:00 p.m. ET.
You may also scan the appropriate verification documents (passports, birth certificates, etc...) and email to membership@usatf.org. No age verification will be done onsite. Runners who do not verify their age are subject to protest and possible disqualification after the race.
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Schedule of Events
Friday, December 13, 2019
Course Preview
2 p.m. – Sunset (Approx. 4:36 p.m.), Lehigh University XC course
Start/Finish area located behind Murray Goodman Stadium.
Free parking available in Stabler Arena lots. No parking adjacent to start/finish.
150 Goodman Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015
GPS: 40.589189, -75.355439
Packet Pick-up and Technical Meeting
2 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Packet pick-up in the Foundry Room
7:30 p.m.: Technical meeting, host hotel
Host Hotel
Lehigh Valley Hotel & Conference Center
300 Gateway Drive
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18017-9076
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Race Schedule
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Packet Pick-up
9:30 a.m. Opening Ceremonies
10:00 a.m. Masters Men (60+) 8 km
11:15 a.m. Masters Women 6 km
12:15 p.m. Masters Men (40-50) 10 km
1:15 p.m. Open Women 6 km
2:00 p.m. Open Men 10 km
Award Ceremonies - on site
Approx. 11:40 a.m. Begin Master Men’s 60+ 8 km Award Ceremony – on site
Approx. 12:40 p.m. Continue with Master Women’s Award Ceremony – on site
Approx. 1:40 p.m. Continue with Master Men’s 40+ 10 km Award Ceremony – on site
Open Race Individual Award Ceremonies for the top 10 individuals from each race will immediately follow the finish of each Open race and will interrupt the Masters ceremonies if necessary. Open Race Team Award Ceremonies will follow the conclusion of the Masters Awards.
The Masters Year-End Team Grand Prix and Individual Grand Prix Award Ceremony will take place beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the host hotel.
Runners are advised that there will be NO bag check facilities at this meet and are strongly cautioned against bringing any valuables other than small amounts of cash to the starting/finish area.
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Course Description/Maps
The 2019 USATF Club Cross-Country Championships will make use of the existing 6 km course for the women’s races. The 10 km course for the men’s races will consist of two shortened loops of the women’s course. The 8 km course is a truncated (and somewhat easier) version of the 10 km course. The course distances are accurate to within ± 1%.
The course is 100% grass, except for road crossings, and spikes are recommended, especially in wet conditions. There are three macadam road crossings on each loop. The Lehigh course is characterized by long, gradual ascents and descents rather than short, steep segments. Footing on the course is generally good, with the exceptions noted below.
The women’s 6 km (Brown) course is marked at every kilometer and every mile. The men's 10 km course will be marked every kilometer.
The starting area for the course is located in a large grassy field immediately to the north of the football stadium. The photo at right shows the starting area. The course proceeds to the west across a level expanse towards the Steel Trees (you’ll know them when you see them). The course makes a gradual 180° turn just in front of the trees at about 950m and heads back to the east. In wet conditions, serious mud may be expected at around 1100m. At around 1500m (5600m for the second 10 km loop), the course begins a gentle 400m ascent before making the first paved road crossing. At 2100m (6200m), the course swings right and makes a second paved road crossing, turning left immediately for a short segment paralleling the road before turning left again and crossing the road, heading north. The course then runs along the periphery of several athletic fields. It is here that the men’s 10 km course deviates slightly from the women’s course, with the men’s course cutting diagonally across the athletic fields instead of keeping to the periphery. At around 3200m (7300m), the course makes a short descent to a wooden footbridge that crosses a small creek. Protruding roots on this section pose a trip hazard.
Crossing the footbridge, the course begins to ascend and passes in front of the starting line, curving to the left towards a line of trees. The course passes through the tree line at around 3800m (7900m) and turns left for a short descent before turning to the right just prior to the 4000m (8100m) mark. The most difficult climb on the course begins at 4000m (8100m), ascending to a tree line, turning right, and continuing to climb before topping out at around 4700m (8800m). At this point, the M60+ 8 km course will deviate from the 6 km and the 10 km courses in that the 8 km course will turn sharply left downhill to rejoin the 10 km course. The 6 km and 10 km courses then turn left, flatten, and after another left turn, begin a long descent down to around the 5300m (9400m) mark. It is at this point that the second loop of the men’s 10 km course begins when the men’s course turns abruptly right just before a tree line, hops over to the other side of the tree line, and continues about 50m before rejoining the previous course. The 6 km course will continue on into the finish on level terrain, with a slight rise at the finish, with a slight rise at the finish.
In the event of snow (hardly impossible in Pennsylvania in the middle of December), the race may, at the discretion of the Local Organizing Committee, default to 2 km loops around the football stadium.
Women’s 6 km Course
Men’s 8 km Course
Men’s 10 km Course
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Awards & Prize Money
Awards - Open Division
USATF Championships Medals will be awarded to the top 10 individual finishers in the men's and women's open races and to the declared members of the men's and women's first-, second-, and third-place teams.
Prize Money - Open Division
A total of $26,250 in team prize money will be awarded to the top Open men's and women's teams as follows:
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Team Place
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Men
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Women
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1st
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$5,500
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$5,500
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2nd
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$3,125
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$3,125
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3rd
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$2,000
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$2,000
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4th
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$1,500
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$1,500
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5th
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$1,000
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$1,000
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Awards - Masters Division
USATF Individual Championship Medals will be awarded to the top 3 men's and women's individual finishers in all 5-year age divisions from 40-44 to the age group of the oldest finisher. Championship patches will be awarded to the winners of each 5-year age division.
USATF Team Championship Medals will be awarded to the declared members of the top 3 men's and women's teams in the following age divisions: 40+, 50+, 60+, 70+ and 80+.
Prize Money - Masters Division
A total of up to $13,150 in Master team prize money will be awarded as follows:
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Masters Men
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Masters Women
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Team Place
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40+
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50+
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60+
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70+
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80+
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40+
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50+
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60+
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70+
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80+
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1st
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$1000
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$1000
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$600
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$600
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$600
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$600
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$600
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$600
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$600
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$600
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2nd
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$625
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$625
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$375
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$375
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$375
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$375
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$375
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$375
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$375
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$375
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3rd
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$375
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$375
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$225
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$225
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x
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$225
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$225
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$225
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$225
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x
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Masters team prize money is pro-rated for the number of scoring members.
In addition, individual prize money will be awarded to the top Age-Graded Masters Male and Female in the Masters Championship races as follows:
1st Age-Graded Masters Male 10 km (40+) - $200
1st Age-Graded Masters Male 8 km (60+) - $200
1st Age-Graded Masters Female 6 km - $200
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Directions
Cross Country Course Start/Finish Area
(Located behind Murray H. Goodman Stadium)
Directions from New York City and Points East and North
From Interstate 78, take Exit 67 toward Hellertown/Bethlehem.
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Go straight at the end of the exit ramp across Route 412 onto Silvex Road (between Wendy’s and Turkey Hill).
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Continue on Silvex Road through a short tunnel and under an overpass until you reach a “Y” in the road. Bear left. At the stop sign, turn left onto College Drive. At the next stop sign, go straight across William Street to continue on College Drive. Turn left at the stop sign at Mountain Drive South.
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Turn left onto Goodman Drive. Stabler Arena (124 Goodman Drive) is on your right; Goodman Stadium (150 Goodman Drive) is on your left.
Directions from Harrisburg and Points West
From Interstate 78, take Exit 67 toward Hellertown/Bethlehem.
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Continue on Silvex Road through a short tunnel and under an overpass until you reach a “Y” in the road. Bear left. At the stop sign, turn left onto College Drive. At the next stop sign, go straight across William Street to continue on College Drive. Turn left at the stop sign at Mountain Drive South.
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Turn left onto Goodman Drive. Stabler Arena (124 Goodman Drive) is on your right; Goodman Stadium (150 Goodman Drive) is on your left.
Directions from Philadelphia and Points South
Take the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 476) north to Exit 44, Quakertown.
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Turn left onto Route 663 and follow for 3.5 miles. Turn left onto Route 309 North in Quakertown. Continue north on Route 309 to Center Valley. Turn right onto Route 378 North toward Bethlehem.
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Continue on Route 378 for approximately 4 miles to the third traffic light. Turn right onto Black River Road. Turn left at end of Black River Road onto Bingen Road. Continue straight through the light onto Mountain Drive South.
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Turn right onto Goodman Drive. Stabler Arena (124 Goodman Drive) is on your right; Goodman Stadium (150 Goodman Drive) is on your left.
Directions from the Lehigh Valley
From Route 22 East or West, take the Route 378 exit in Bethlehem (Route 378 heads only south).
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Follow Route 378 south through Bethlehem and over South Mountain.
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At the first light after Mountain Drive North, turn left onto Seidersville Road. Continue straight until the light. Turn left onto Mountain Drive South.
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Turn right onto Goodman Drive. Stabler Arena (124 Goodman Drive) is on your right; Goodman Stadium (150 Goodman Drive) is on your left.
Parking Information
Free parking is available around Stabler Arena – only a short walk to the start/finish.
Follow directions and attendants during on meet day.
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Spike Restrictions
Spikes are allowed
USATF Competition Rule 143.3
Maximum of 11 spikes per shoe.
Max. spike length of 25mm or 1 inch.
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Meet Contact
Please contact Crosscountry@usatf.org for any questions relating to the 2019 USATF National Club Cross Country Championship.
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Hotel and Travel
Bethlehem, PA is a popular tourist destination in December. Be sure to book your hotel rooms early if you want to stay within close proximity of the race location.
Lehigh Valley Hotel & Conference Center - * Host Hotel, Packet Pickup and Post Race Party
300 Gateway Drive, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18017-9076, United States
Distance between hotel and and race start is approx. 10 miles
Click here to book this hotel
Group Code: USATF Club XC Champs
Rate: $109
Rate available until Dec. 1st (Must call to receive rate, not available online)
Amenities: Free breakfast, Free wifi, Free shuttle to/from Lehigh Valley Int. Airport
There is no shuttle between host hotel and race site.
Directions to Lehigh Valley Hotel & Conference Center (Friday, Packet Pickup & Post Race Party):
From: NYC & Northern NJ.
Take Interstate 80 west to Route 33 south to Route 22 west, to Route 512/Center Street exit. Turn right onto Route 512. At the first traffic light turn right onto Gateway Drive, the BEST WESTERN Lehigh Valley Hotel & Conference Center is on the left.
From: NYC & Central NJ.
Take Interstate 95 south to Interstate 78 west. (continue into Pennsylvania) to Route 33 north. Take Route 33 north to Route 22 west. Proceed west on Route 22 for nine miles to Route 512/Center Street exit.
Turn right, travel north on Route 512, go to second traffic light and turn right onto Gateway Drive. See above
From: Philadelphia.
Take Interstate 476 north to Exit 56 (Lehigh Valley Exit). Follow Route 22 east for nine miles to Route 512/Center Street exit. See above
From: Harrisburg Area.
Take Interstate 81 north to Interstate 78 east to Route 22 east. Follow Route 22 east for twelve miles to Route 512/Center Street exit. See above
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites - 1.15 miles from race start
2201 Cherry Ln., Bethlehem, PA 18015
610-838-6110
Wind Creek Casino and Resort - 3 miles from race start
77 Sands Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18015
877-726-3777
Hyatt Place - 5 miles from race start
45 W. North St., Bethlehem, PA 18018
610-625-0500
Hampton Inn & Suites* - 7.2 miles from race start
200 Gateway Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18017
610-868-2442
*USATF Hilton Honors discount
Courtyard by Marriott - 8.1 miles from race start
2160 Motel Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18018
610-317-6200 8.1 miles
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott - 8.1 miles from race start
2140 Motel Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18018
610-867-8681
Homewood Suites by Hilton* - 9 miles from race start
2031 Avenue C, Bethlehem, PA 18017
610-264-7500
*USATF Hilton Honors discount
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites - 9 miles from race start
3375 High Point Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18017
610-882-2255
Post-race showers facilities will be available for all runners in the stadium house located across the footbridge immediately south of the starting line and at the north end of the football stadium. Bring your own towel and soap.
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