Cross Country Team Challenge

Running IS a team sport and the Brian Diemer Family of Races Cross Country Team Challenge allows you and four of your friends to experience it all together.  This event resembles a high school-style cross country meet, using standard scoring and a 5K course.  This is a team event, with 5 to 7 people per team.  If you don't have a team or enough people to make an entire team, let us know and we will help you put a team together.

This year are back at Richmond Park in the City of Grand Rapids. The 5K course will feature mowed grass, packed dirt, and gravel.  Be sure to check out the course preview video below to get an idea of what XC running looks like! Also new this year is the FREE community 1 Mile Run, which is open to both youth & adults.  

Here is an overview of the 2023 course, https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2330110. We expect the 2024 course to be similar. It will be well-marked with cyclists leading the way!

For more information on what cross country is, click the "Cross Country 101" section to your left or simply ask us.  

How to Register

We tried to make it as easy as we could for you to register and start your team (if you have one). The first person on your team to register has the ability to create the team. From there, that person can share the team name and a link for others to join. We also activated the features that allow you to change your team name and the type of team you have (female, male, coed). We are also happy to help with all of this.

If you don't have a team yet (or don't want the pressure of creating the team name), no worries! Go ahead and register yourself and we can help you unite with a team later.

When in doubt, ask! Remember, teams can range from 5 to 7 individuals, with only the top 5 places counting towards your score (with any other runners on your team helping to block other team members from securing lower points). Coed teams do not have a requirement for the number of males or females they have on them, just at least one member of the opposite gender.

The 5K portion of the event is chip-timed. 

We have youth pricing turned on so anyone under the age of 20 will receive a $10 entry. If a high school team would like to register to participate, email us at [email protected] for a special discount code.

Awards

Gazelle Sports has generously signed on board as an Awards Sponsor this year. They have helped us since the first year.

First Overall Female: $25 to Gazelle SportsFirst Overall Male: $25 to Gazelle SportsFirst Overall Female Masters: $25 to Gazelle SportsFirst Overall Male Masters: $25 to Gazelle SportsMiddle of the Pack Award: $25 to Gazelle Sports 
(given to the person who finishes in the middle of the final order)

Overall Female Team: all team members receive a $20 to Gazelle SportsOverall Male Team: all team members receive a $20 to Gazelle SportsOverall Coed Team: all team members receive a $20 to Gazelle SportsOverall Masters Female Team (all team members must be 40+): all team members receive a $20 to Gazelle SportsOverall Masters Male Team (all team members must be 40+): all team members receive a $20 to Gazelle SportsOverall Masters Coed Team (all team members must be 40+):  all team members receive a $20 to Gazelle SportsMost Spirited Team: all team members receive a $20 to Gazelle Sports
(this will be voted on by the race day volunteers)

The FUN Run Mile participants are not eligible for awards. The FUN Run Mile is also not timed.

Race Day Timeline 5pm: Bib pickup6:00pm: Community Fun Run Mile6:25pm: XC teams report to the starting line6:30pm: XC race starts7:30pm: awards

2024 Michigan Running Race Series Event

We are excited to be the July event in the 2024 Michigan Runner Race Series! 
 

We look forward to seeing you on race day!