Eligibility Requirements

In addition to correctly entering the meet, the following criteria must be met:

Open Athletes

• Only citizens of the United States are eligible to compete in the Championships.
• Female athletes must be 14 years or older and male athletes must be 16 years or older on the day of competition.
• All athletes must be current (2002 or 2003) members of USATF in good standing. USATF membership numbers may be purchased on-line, through your local Association Office, or through the USATF National Headquarters.

Masters Athletes

• Citizens of the United States and resident aliens are eligible to compete in the Championships; however, only U.S. citizens may score or win championship medals.
• Athletes must be 40 years or older on the day of competition.
• All athletes must be current (2002 or 2003) members of USATF in good standing. USATF membership numbers may be purchased on-line, through your local Association Office, or through the USATF National Headquarters.

Teams

• "Team competition in the Fall National [Cross Country] Championships shall be limited to Association Club teams" (USATF Rule 15.3). All members of an "Association Club" must reside within the boundaries of the same USATF Association.
• A team may enter an unlimited number of runners, but all must be current USATF members. Team entries will not be accepted unless all entrants have valid, current USATF membership numbers.
• All teams must be registered with USATF for 2003.
• The formation of teams must meet all of the parameters as noted in Regulations 7 and 8 in the USATF Operating Regulations Handbook, Section III. This will be strictly enforced.