WATCH LIVE: RUNNINGLANE XC CHAMPIONSHIPS
BEGINS AIRING ON DEC. 7 ON MILESPLIT
The countdown is on!
In just two days, the nation's top runners will converge at John Hunt Park for the 2024 RunningLane Cross Country Championships, where champions will rise, and stories will unfold.
History has shown us that this race is a stage for the unexpected. From Tennessee to Texas, California, Alabama, and Ohio, winners have emerged from every corner of the map, proving that no one is ever truly out of the running.
This year, the stage is set once again for a showdown of epic proportions. Rising stars, seasoned contenders, and hungry underdogs are all vying for glory. Anything can happen in Huntsville.
Let's dive into the key athletes, teams, and narratives defining this year's championship battle.
Top Teams to Watch
The Title Contenders:
Bridgeland, TX #3; Katy, TX #6; Columbus North, IN#5;
The Next In-Line:
The Scoop
The girls' team race features a deep and competitive field, with several strong teams vying for top honors. Katy (TX), ranked #6 in Texas with an 18:32 average, comes off a third-place finish at the UIL State 6A Championships, where they placed right behind Bridgeland. They also finished 12th at the NXR South Regional and will be looking to challenge for a podium spot. North Columbus (IN) ranks #5 in Indiana with an 18:40 average and placed 21st at the NXR Midwest Regional and 10th at the Indiana State Championships. Minnesota's Hopkins (#4, 18:55 average) could also make an impact, despite missing their top runner, Sydney Drevlow. Other teams to watch include Ohio's Perrysburg (#5, 18:45 average), Ayala (CA, #17), Fayetteville (AR, #3), and Colts Neck (NJ, #6), all of whom have the potential to make a run at a top finish.
Bridgeland (TX) enters as the clear favorite, ranking #3 in Texas with an 18:12 team average. Anchored by standout runners Lily Fawcett (17:33.10 5K PR) and Rowan Saacke (17:48.20), they come off a third-place finish at the NXR South Regional and second at the UIL State 6A Championships. With their strong top-end talent and depth, Bridgeland will be the team to beat in this competitive field.
Top Individuals to Watch
Don't Sleep on These Girls:
The girls' race features a stacked lineup of accomplished athletes, each with the credentials to take the top spot. Leading the charge is California standout Summer Wilson, who has thrived in one of the nation's most competitive cross-country scenes. With six wins this season, a third-place finish at the CIF State Championships, and a 17:08 5K PR, Wilson has consistently proven she can compete at the highest level. Joining her is Ava Jarrell, the Indiana state runner-up, who has run sub-17:40 seven times this season and posted impressive top-30 finishes at NXR Midwest and Foot Locker Midwest in November.
Colorado's Payton Meineke is another name to watch, coming off five straight races under 17:30. A key player in the ultra-competitive Colorado girls' field, Meineke placed 11th at NXR Southwest and has experience on the national stage with a 16th-place finish at Foot Locker Nationals last year. Rounding out the favorites is Jazzlyn Garmer of Tennessee, the state runner-up who recently set a 17:16.44 PR and finished seventh at both Foot Locker South and NXR Southeast. While all eyes are on this deep field, we believe the race for the title will come down to Meineke and Wilson, each bringing the speed, strength, and experience needed to claim victory.
Top 25 Girls RunningLane 5K Times All-Time
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATE PLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15:58.42 | TN Science Hill High School | 2022 | |
| 2 | 16:03.93 | TX Flower Mound | 2022 | |
| 3 | 16:22.81 | IN Bishop Chatard High School | 2023 | |
| 4 | 16:28.38 | CO Cherry Creek High School | 2022 | |
| 5 | 16:29.51 | PA Unattached - PA | 2022 | |
| 6 | 16:37.20 | CA Mira Costa (SS) | 2022 | |
| 7 | 16:43.15 | CA Newbury Park (SS) | 2022 | |
| 8 | 16:44.69 | CO Niwot High School | 2022 | |
| 9 | 16:44.91 | OR Jesuit | 2022 | |
| 10 | 16:45.97 | IL Chicago (Latin) | 2022 | |
| 11 | 16:49.53 | CO Air Academy High School | 2024 | |
| 12 | 16:50.00 | TX Randall | 2022 | |
| 13 | 16:50.75 | CO Valor Christian High School | 2023 | |
| 14 | 16:50.94 | NJ Colts Neck HS | 2022 | |
| 15 | 16:53.34 | OK Bixby High School | 2022 | |
| 16 | 16:53.85 | CO Arapahoe High School | 2023 | |
| 17 | 16:54.10 | VA Jamestown | 2022 | |
| 18 | 16:55.41 | FL Cambridge (Christian) School | 2022 | |
| 19 | 16:56.37 | CO Pomona High School | 2023 | |
| 20 | 16:56.97 | CO REAL Training | 2024 | |
| 21 | 16:58.16 | CO Valor Christian High School | 2025 | |
| 22 | 16:59.99 | CA Buchanan (CS) | 2023 | |
| 23 | 17:00.30 | AL Mountain Brook HS | 2023 | |
| 24 | 17:01.03 | OH Oakwood | 2022 | |
| 25 | 17:02.30 | UT American Fork | 2024 |