Cross Country Team Challenge

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1101 Richmond St NW, Grand Rapids MI

Tuesday, July 21st, 2026

🏃‍♂️ Event Overview

Running IS a team sport, and the Brian Diemer Family of Races Cross Country Team Challenge allows you and four (or more) 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. 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. We also allow participants to run without being attached to a team.

This year are back at Richmond Park in the City of Grand Rapids. The 5K course will feature mowed grass, packed dirt, and gravel. The FREE community 1 Mile Run, which is open to both youth & adults, kicks off the evening.

Here is an overview of the 2025 course, https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2330110. We expect the 2026 course to be similar. It will be well-marked, with cyclists leading the way.

For a quick video on how a cross country race is scored, check out this video or simply ask us.

📝 How to Register

We tried to make it easy for you to register and start your team (if you have one). The first person on your team to register can 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.

Team Formation: If you don't have a team yet (or don't want the pressure of creating a team name), no worries! Go ahead and register yourself, and we can help you form a team later.
Running Solo: We also allow participants to run solo, unattached from a team.
Team Members: When in doubt, ask! Remember, teams can range from 5 to 7 individuals, with only the top 5 places counting towards your score.
Youth Pricing: We have youth pricing turned on so anyone under the age of 20 will receive a $10 entry.

🏆 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: $20 to Gazelle Sports
First Overall Male: $20 to Gazelle Sports
Middle of the Pack Award: $20 to Gazelle Sports (given to the person who finishes in the middle of the final order)
Most Spirited Team: all team members receive a $15 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.