In 62 days · Sat, Nov 14, 2026
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Saturday, November 14th, 2026
321 S. Fourth Street, Shepherd MI
5K
32–46°F · low rain risk
See last 10 years
On this date: rain 2 of the last 10 years
2025
32–56°F
dry
2024
43–46°F
rain
2023
31–51°F
dry
2022
23–37°F
dry
2021
32–37°F
rain
2020
24–43°F
dry
2019
22–32°F
dry
2018
19–32°F
dry
2017
26–46°F
dry
2016
42–56°F
dry
Best months to race in Michigan →
About this race
Event Overview
We are back! MITCA is excited to host its 7th Annual Michigan Meet of Champions and Mid East Qualifier Presented by HOKA!
For the meet schedule, you can find it here.
Schedule
- 11:00am: Course Preview and Check In - Please do not try to check in before 11am as our volunteers will not be ready! Check in will be ALL DAY LONG!
- 12:30pm: Boys Elite Open #1 (Races assigned by school affiliation and seed time)
- 1:00pm: Boys Elite TEAM Race
- 1:30pm: Girls Elite Open
Additional events include the Girls Elite TEAM Race, Boys Elite Open #2, Boys All-Comers Open #1, Boys All-Comers Open #2, and Girls All-Comers Open scheduled for later in the afternoon.
Meet Information
This meet has always served as the Mid East Qualifier: however, in 2020, we created a new and fun format for competing runners!
Note: Specific races will not be assigned until AFTER the posted registration deadlines. As of now, ALL entries are being put into a generic 'Girls 5k' and 'Boys 5k'.
How to update your 2026 performance... Check the instructions here.
Mid-East Qualifier Info
- Top Performers: Top Senior performers will be invited to represent Team Michigan at the Mid-East Meet of Champions in Kettering, Ohio on Saturday, November 21st.
- Selection Criteria: The top 10 fastest seniors on November 14th will be invited, regardless of the race they compete in.
- Travel Arrangements: Team Michigan will travel via charter bus on Friday, November 20th with the Team Michigan coaching staff.
- Uniforms: Team members will compete in their custom HOKA Team Michigan uniform!
Elite ‘Team’ Race
To be considered for the ELITE ‘TEAM’ Race, an athlete must either have a qualifying 5K cross country time or comparable body of work to suggest they would be competitive.
The anticipated Boys/Girls qualifying standard is 16:00.0/19:20.0. Runners must be currently in 9th - 12th grade. No Exceptions.
After the field is set, there will be a LIVE draft on a social media platform. There will be 14 teams with 10 runners on each team.
Achieving the standard does not guarantee entry into the field.
If you have been selected for the Elite Team Race, please fill out this form! Elite Team &: Team Michigan Info Form.
Elite ‘Open’ Race
To be considered for the ELITE ‘OPEN’ Race, an athlete must either have a qualifying 5K cross country time or comparable body of work to suggest they would be competitive.
The anticipated Boys/Girls qualifying standard is sub 16:45.0/21:45.0. Runners in grades 6th-12th may compete in this section.
Races are divided by school to allow teammates to compete together and to provide slight separation in performances.
Achieving the standard does not guarantee entry into the field.
‘Open’ Race
All runners are eligible to compete in the ‘OPEN’ Race. ALL Grades are welcome, and adults can compete as well.
Once registered, you will have the ability to log in at any time after and update your seed time as your season progresses. 2025 Cross Country performances are the ONLY allowed mark to use and must be verified. Meet Management may also update your mark along the way.
Event Details
Date: November 14, 2026
Location: 321 S. Fourth Street, Shepherd, MI
For more information, visit the official race page at the race registration site.
Course map
Hotels for race weekend
Live prices near the start line, Nov 13 – 15, 2026.
Train with a club
Run clubs near Shepherd to train with before race day.
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