* Girls runners ready for the start of the RunningLane XC Championships in 2022
Photo Credit: Alison Markham/MileSplit
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All over the country, tens of thousands of athletes take to the grass every weekend, from the middle of August all the way through early December.
Whether they're racing the hills and navigating hundreds of competitors, or toeing the line at historic Van Cortlandt Park for the Manhattan Invitational, there are incredible meets every single weekend of the season.
Even with over half of September competition completed, including the Woodbridge XC Classic, PTXC, Texas A&M, The Southern Showcase and the Liberty Bell Invitational, among others, there are still a ton of fantastic meets on tap throughout the rest of the season.
Below Let us know what you think on our list of some of the greatest cross country meets of the season.
One of The Empire State's go-to meets of the season is back again for year 58, out of the 23 races that will take place Saturday, the best of the best will be taking the line right in the middle of the festivities, with the Bob Bradley Premier Races slated to be the 16th and 17th races of the day.
Last year, Cicero-North Syracuse senior Kate Putman obliterated the field, running 16:46.20 for a 45-second victory. Charlie Buter, a junior from Mt. St. Joseph, won the boys premier race in 14:54.30 over Saratoga Springs' Mason Talarico's 14:58.00.
AAU Cross Country National Championship
While a lot of high schoolers will be competing in various national championships, much younger athletes who don't have that opportunity will be competing on one of the best courses in the country.
The 14 races that morning will start with 15-18 year-old high schoolers running a 5K, with the day coming to an end with a 6-and-Under 1,000m run. There are even a few races for adults, along with a parents/coaches mixed 3,000m bringing the meet to a close.
MileStat.com XC Invitational
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Where: Mechanicsville, VA
When: October 14
Course: Pole Green Park
One of the biggest meets of the season is back and better than ever, bringing in another loaded field to Virginia's fan-favorite course.
Last year, 175 teams from multiple states -- primarily Virginia -- took part in the event, with the middle school and high school races headlined by the elite divisions.
Both of the individual titles are up for grabs this fall, with Charlie Ortmans and Leah Stephens both having graduated after winning last year.
Gans Creek Classic
One of the best courses in the Midwest, the Gans Creek Course opened up in 2019 and has since become the host for the Missouri state championships.
In 2022, 153 schools from across the state traveled in for the meet, with the gold division being the best of the best. Last year, Connor Burns and Carolyn Ford won the boys' and girls' races.
Manhattan Invitational
For over 50 years, historic Van Cortlandt Park has hosted the Manhattan Invitational in 'The Big Apple'.
Every year, the famed meet gives the athletes a break from the routine 5000m race, and offers the chance to compete over 4000m instead. Since 1972, thousands of athletes travel in to take part in one of the longest running cross country meets in the nation.
Some of the country's brightest high school distance stars have made their way through the 4000m course, including but not limited to Katelyn Tuohy, Mary Cain, Weini Kelati, Edward Cheserek, Matthew Centrowitz, and Charles Hicks.
Last October, it was St. Raphael Academy's Devan Kipyego and Cornwall's Karrie Baloga who came out on top in the Eastern States Championship divisions.
Live in Lou Cross Country Classic
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Where: Louisville, KY
When: September 30
Course: E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park
One of America's championship level cross country courses can manage almost any distance from 5K-10K.
In 2022, Live in Lou, the two-day meet saw races ranging from youth athletes to the collegiate level. For high school, the invitational races produce the best results, while Bella Guillamondegui and Ty Steorts winning the 2022 races.
HOKA FlRunners.com Invitational
Another meet this fall that has a little bit of racing for everybody, with 14 different races for youth and high school students.
This year, the largest cross country meet in Florida is welcoming over two-thousand athletes, with registration still open. Braxton Legg won the race of champions on the boys' side, while Olivia Fraga won on the girls' side.
Rim Rock Farm Classic
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Where: Lawrence, KS
When: Sep. 22-23
Course: Rim Rock Farm
Arguably one of the toughest courses in the Midwest, Rim Rock is welcoming over 3,000 athletes from eight different states next weekend. They'll get the opportunity to run through the well-manicured woods made up of devastating hills, including the well-named Cemetery Hill.
In it's history, only one boy has ever ran sub-15 on the course and no girl has ever broken 17:10, meaning it's a grinder.
Nevertheless, the competition is top notch and the atmosphere and coverage is electric.
Great American Cross Country Festival/Cedric Walker HBCU Challenge
It's been a long-time coming for the next edition of one of the most well-known meets on the east coast. Last year, Hurricane Ian caused the popular meet to cancel it's 2022 edition and prioritize the safety of attendants.
This year, it looks like all signs are pointing to having the meet back later this month, with teams from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia all planning on making the trip out as they have in years past.
The biggest race of the weekend is the Race of Champions division, where Ciara O'Shea and Sam Rich are the current reigning champions, running 17:08.90 14:59.80 at the last edition in 2021.
The home course of the Razorbacks consistently brings in some of the best athletes in the nation, both collegiately and at the high school level.
On Day 1 of the meet, the four collegiate races take place that afternoon, leaving plenty of time for the eight high school races Saturday morning, with the El Caliente races containing the top athletes in the field.
Last year, Connor Burns won a thrilling boys race in 14:32.3, while Haley Loewe won the girls race in 17:20.5.
Wingfoot XC Classic
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Where: Cartersville, GA
When: Sep. 22-23
Course: Sam Smith Park
In just a few weeks, over 5,300 athletes will head south for another fantastic meet put on by the Atlanta Track Club.
Teams and athletes in addition to the southern states in attendance include Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina and New York, which means the competition is shaping up to be incredible.
Unlike a lot of current courses, the 5K course in Cartersville includes hay bales that athletes have to navigate through.
Overall, the two-day meet is a great way to gauge how the rest of your season is going to go, and a great way to have fun at the same time.
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Where: Mesa, AZ
When: September 29
Course: Toka Sticks Golf Course
Consistently seen as one of the strongest meets West of the Mississippi, this venue and its atmosphere have produced some of the best performances in recent years.
The event features 27 different races of varying levels under the lights, with the girls and boys Sweepstakes races being the epic conclusion of the night.
After some time away from the meet's original site, over 200 teams will be back where it all began to compete under the desert stars.
Mt. Sac Invitational
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Where: Walnut, CA
When: Oct. 20-21
Course: Mt. San Antonio College
In 2022, this well-oiled machine of a meet featured over 13,500 athletes that toed the line in one of the 84 races that spanned over the two-day meet.
Whether it's the Valley Loop, Poop-Out Hill or one of the countless switchbacks, this course is not for the faint of heart, but is great for the thrill seeker.
Along with getting to go head-to-head against some of California's strongest athletes, you also get to experience the varying terrain and the excess amount of dust that is sure to make its return!
This year, it's the 75th edition of the historic Mt. Sac meet, and as always, it's surely going to be memorable and fast!
Roy Griak Invitational
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Where: Minneapolis, MN
When: Sep. 22
Course: Les Bolstad Golf Course
This meet is both thrilling and hectic at the same time. With eight different races, beginning at the collegiate level and concluding with the high school races, this is one of the best meets in the Heartland region, bar none.
In fields that consistently see north of 300 athletes toe the line -- and some over 500 -- one word of advice is to get into a good position once the gun goes off, because this golf course is friendly to those trying to make up a lot of ground or make a series of moves throughout.
Another thing to keep in mind when preparing for this behemoth of a course is the fact that it's held in Minneapolis in late September, which can range anywhere from 85 and sunny to 35 and rainy.
Even if you don't run the time you were hoping for, the experience of competing more than makes up for it.
New Balance Shore Coaches Invitational
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Where: Holmdel, NJ
When: September 30
Course: Holmdel Park
The 2023 edition of the famed East coast meet is sure to be one for the books, with over 227 teams and nearly 4,800 athletes ready to test their fitness on New Jersey's state championship course.
Last year saw some of the best racing in meet history, where three runners broke 15:30 in the same race for the first time ever. However, the course records here are no joke, with the legendary Edward Cheserek and Katelyn Tuohy being the fastest to ever do it.
State Championship Weekend(s)
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Where: All 50 States
When: October-November
Course: Everywhere
The best thing about each state's cross country championships is that no two are the same. Some states have one site while some may have two. Some states have theirs in early October, while others wait until late November.
A handful of states including Illinois and New York end their respective seasons with some breathing room before the national post-season, while California competes up to the end of November.
Foot Locker National Championships presented by HOKA
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Where: San Diego, CA
When: Dec. 9
Course: Balboa Park
Just like the other national meets around the country, some of the nation's greatest prep stars have tested their strength at Balboa Park. Grant Fisher, Edward Cheserek, Natalie Cook Jordan Hasay and a ton more recognizable names.
The one detail that sets this championship apart from the rest is the fact that there is no team aspect. Every year, the top ten finishers from the four regions qualify for a winner-takes-all championship race of 40 athletes.
At the end of the day, only two athletes are crowned national champions.
Nike Cross Nationals
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Where: Portland, OR
When: Dec. 2
Course: Glendoveer Golf Course
After a two-year hiatus, Nike Cross Nationals returned in full force last December, as athletes from all nine regions around the country made their way to the demanding course in Portland.
Some of the greatest athletes in high school history have etched their name in prep history here, including Katelyn Tuohy, Casey Clinger and many more.
In Portland, there is always a strong chance it could be raining, or conditions may not be favorable for a cross country race, but nevertheless, it's a great opportunity to head home with some hardware.
RunningLane XC Championships
The fresh course at John Hunt Park has seen it all. It's seen Colin Sahlman break the American high school record, and Jenna Hutchins become the first high school girl to ever run sub-16. To sum it up, the course is fast.
Since it came to the forefront of the cross country world in 2020, this meet has hosted thousands of runners from all over the country. In fact, the 2022 edition brought in athletes from 44 of the 50 states, even Alaska.
The best part about the meet isn't even the fast times ran there, but instead the environment. It doesn't matter if you're the fastest athlete in the field, or the slowest, the atmosphere around you is designed for each and every runner to get to experience a national championship setting.