About RRCA Championship Event Series
The RRCA Championship Event Series is the largest grassroots-organized running series in the U.S. with over 200 races participating that attract nearly 300,000 participants. RRCA Championship Events are designated annually at the State, Regional, and National level through a competitive bidding process.
The goal of the RRCA Championship Event Series is to celebrate and shine a spotlight on well-run, community-focused events and to award their top performing runners.
RRCA provides awards for: Open male and female, 40+ male and female, 50+ male and female, 60+ male and female, open adaptive athlete male and female, and nonbinary upon special request by race organizers.
2025 RRCA National Championship Event Series
- March 2, 2025 – Marathon Championship – Napa Valley Marathon – Napa Valley, CA
- March 8, 2025 – Ultra Championship – SARR Prickly Pear Trail Run – San Antonio, TX
- April 26, 2025 – 10K Championship – Get in Gear 10K – Minneapolis, MN
- May 25, 2025 – Half Marathon Championship – Run Madtown Half Marathon – Madison, WI
- May 26, 2025 – 1 Mile Championship – Greenville Track Club Memorial Day Mile – Greenville, SC
- August 2, 2025 – 5K Championship – Woodstock 5K – Anniston, AL
- August 24, 2025 – 10 Mile Championship – Annapolis 10 Mile Run – Annapolis, MD
Hosting an RRCA Championship Event
RRCA Championship Event Series Distances
Events are awarded at the following standardized distances at the National, Regional and State level on an annual basis:
- 1 Mile
- 5 K
- 10 K
- 10-Mile
- Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
- Marathon (26.2 miles)
- Ultra (any distance over 26.2 miles)
- Cross Country (variable distance; only one event)
RRCA may grant additional event distances, as requested, but only after the standard distances have been awarded.
Championship Bid Submission Deadline
To ensure events have an opportunity to compete for all Championship designation levels, the deadlines for National, Regional, and State Championship bids are staggered, as follows:
- 2026 National Championship Bid Deadline ~ August 1
- 2026 Regional Championship Bid Deadline ~ October 1
- 2026 State Championship Bid Deadline ~ November 1
Events that do not receive a Regional designation will be considered for State Championship status. To ensure a full slate of standard race distances for the RRCA Championship Event Series any distance not designated after the bidding period will be filled on a first come first served basis for qualified races.
Only RRCA member clubs and events may bid for an RRCA Championship designation. All RRCA members agreed to operate in accordance with our Safe Events Guidelines. In addition:
- The event should be at least in its second year of operation.
- Start as RRCA State Championships before bidding for Regional then National Championship status. However, well-established events may bid directly for Regional and/or National Championship designation.
- Events must agree to follow our requirements for hosting an RRCA Championship, which includes:branding the event as an RRCA Championship to our expectations.
- The race course must be one of the RRCA standard distances and be USATF-certified to ensure the correct event distance. Course certification is waived for courses that cannot be certified, such as Cross Country events and certain trail events.
- Events agree that RRCA Championships are open to all runners of any nationality and ability, and there are no requirements of membership in any organization. RRCA National winners may reside in any country. RRCA Regional winners should reside in a state within the designated region for the event, however these winners may still be citizens of other countries residing in the US. RRCA State Championship residency requirements for winners are set at the discretion of the host event.
- The event should make every effort to comply with the RRCA guidelines on ADA compliance for challenged athletes.
Bid Submission Process
- Determine the appropriate designation for your event – State, Regional or National.
- Complete the Bid Submission Form by the deadline noted below.
- You will be notified of the status of your bid once championship designations are awarded.
An event can only be awarded one RRCA Championship designation. However, if the event has multiple distances, the event may be considered for State, Regional or National status for the various distances in the event.
When you bid on and receive an RRCA Championship designation, you have affirmatively agreed to follow the RRCA Championship branding requirements outlined below.
If selected for the Championship Event Series, failure to include the RRCA Championship logo or name on the homepage and in materials for your event may result in removal from the event series and cancellation of sponsorship items.
Spotlight your RRCA Championship Designation
It’s very easy to incorporate the RRCA Championship designation into your existing race name or logo. Simply include “RRCA Championship” below your race name or logo in emails, on your website, race numbers, and more.Pre-Race Branding
- Outline the event has been designated as an RRCA Championship Event in emails, social media, and press releases. Be sure to note if it is a State, Regional or National Championship.
- Tag us on Instagram @rrcanational
- Send pre-race press releases about your event to [email protected]
- Outline information about prize money or special offers for participants, and include information about the RRCA Championship Awards for Open, 40+, 50+, and 60+, and adaptive male and female champions.
Race Weekend Branding
Race bibs: Take advantage of the RRCA sponsored Championship race bids. If you prefer to utlize your own race-branded bibs, include RRCA Championship as text below your race name or logo. Banners: If you print new banners for the race, include the Championship Event logo or include “RRCA Championship Event” as text below your event logo. RRCA supplies banners to National Championship Events. If you print sponsor banners, you MUST include Gatorade and RRCA Championship logo if you take advantage of the free products offered for the series.
Finish line: We will supply a finish line tape, upon request, that includes the RRCA Championship logo. Please use this for your first place male and female finisher photo and share with [email protected].
Race Announcements: During your pre-race, race, and post-race announcements, inform participants that your event is an RRCA Championship Event. Give a shout-out to any RRCA representatives present at the event.
Expos: Donate expo space for the RRCA. Get local volunteers to man the expo if no RRCA representative is available. Email [email protected] if you are willing to donate expo space and we can help arrange for either a staff member or volunteers to manage the booth and provide RRCA handouts.
Presenting RRCA Championship Awards
All RRCA Championship events are provided with complementary RRCA Championship medals. Review the instructions below for scoring your event. If an official RRCA representative (RRCA Board Member, Executive Director, Staff, or State Rep) attends the event, coordinate with them to help present the awards.
The RRCA Championship awards should be presented before your age-group awards. You can incorporate the Championship Awards into your open awards presentation. Be sure to award a male and female open, adaptive athlete, 40+, 50+, and 60+ (nonbinary open awards provided to events upon request).
Post Race Branding
- Share event results and photos on social media and tag @rrcanational
- Send post-race press releases, winner photos, awards photos, and results to [email protected]
- Thank RRCA & Gatorade for support if the event receives medals, bibs, and/or Gatorade.
- Make a donation to an RRCA program: Kids Run the Nation, RunPro Fund, etc.
Reminder: RRCA Championships are open to all runners of any nationality and ability and there are no requirements of membership in any organization.
- RRCA National winners may reside in any country.
- RRCA Regional winners should reside in a state within the designated region for the event, however these winners may still be citizens of other countries residing in the US.
- RRCA State Championship residency requirements for winners are set at the discretion of the event director.
For purposes of RRCA Championship Awards, scoring by your timing company is requested as follows:
- Open male and female
- 40+ male and female
- 50+ male and female
- 60+ male and female
- Open adaptive athlete male and female
- Nonbinary open (upon request)
RRCA Championship awards are above and beyond the race’s awards. A separate winner should be designated for each award. For example, if a 40-year old person wins the overall, then they should be given the RRCA Open Champion award. The second fastest person over 40 should receive the RRCA 40+ Champion award. No person should receive the RRCA Champion award twice in one event.
Gatorade Sponsorship - Official Sports Fuel of the RRCA Championships
Gatorade sponsors product, cups, mixing wands and banners to RRCA Championship Events that meet certain qualifications, including:
- Races must be hosted by a nonprofit organization;
- Be at least 10K in length;
- Include a minimum of 400 participants.
- Ultra Marathon races (50K+) may qualify with fewer than 400 participants;
- Races exceeding 5,000 participants will be reviewed for sponsorship availability.
Qualifying RRCA Championship Events will receive an email from Gatorade requesting you to place the order for your race using their online form. You must complete this information no later than March 31 (end of 1st Q of the calendar year).
You must follow the Gatorade Aid Station Set-up requirements 
You must post the Gatorade logo on your website as a sponsor, and include their logo on all materials promoting event sponsors, if you qualify for and receive Gatorade sponsorship. Download the Gatorade Logo >>
Take photos of your properly set-up Gatorade Aid Station during the event. You will be required to share images in your post-event report to Gatorade.
Post-race, you will receive another email from Gatorade requesting completion of the post-race recap. This includes uploading photos of a Gatorade aid station at your event. If this is not completed by 3-weeks after the race, the race can be denied sponsorship for the following year.
The RRCA will provide a valuation of the sponsorship provided from both Gatorade and the RRCA. Failure to follow branding requirements will result in loss of product donation for the event.
Championship Awards and Bib Sponsorship
MEDALS: All RRCA Championship events receive eight RRCA Championship medals. RRCA will provide for open male and female adaptive athlete and nonbinary open awards upon request. The medals progress in size for State, Regional and National events.
RRCA Championship medals will be sent directly to the race director by Ashworth Awards. Fees will apply for replacement of lost medals after receipt.
To order finisher medals for all participants along with additional race awards, contact our sponsor at Ashworth Awards to receive your RRCA member discounts.
BIBS: All RRCA Championship events are eligible to receive complimentary race bibs for event participants.
The race numbers have the RRCA Championship logo, the race name, and the race date. Bibs are sponsored by the RRCA and supplied and shipped directly by Marathon Printing.
Championship Promotion by RRCA
In support of RRCA Championship Event hosts, we will:
- Promote the RRCA Championship Event Series and associated events on our website and through our social media channels.
- Provide for an RRCA Championship Event filter on the RRCA Event Calendar so runners can sort and find RRCA Championship Events.
- Provide RRCA finish line tape for your event upon request.
- Facilitate access to the Gatorade sponsorship of the Championship Event Series .
- Facilitate ordering RRCA Championship branded race bibs and shipping RRCA Champion medals to your event.
- Sharing event information on our social media channels.
- Posting your pre-and post event press releases on RRCA’s Running Community Newsfeed.