Changing distances in NCAA XC

[huntinwr]

Has anyone every heard a rationale for the way the NCAA sets the distances in XC? Specifically, why do the men normally run 8k all season then switch to 10k for the regionals and nationals? The women seem to always run 6k courses. Is it the same in D2 and D3?

[26mi235]

Re: Changing distances in NCAA XC

I think that the current distances are good. For the women, it allows the milers and steeple chase athletes to compete at a high level, increasing the depth which would not be adequate if they went even to 8km, much less 10km. On the men's side, 10k is challenging up they only have to do it for the last two races, with prior races being at the slightly less challenging 8km (with a few early-season 6km races). The men have enough depth and enough of them are running 100mi/week (at least a schools like Wisconsin) so that they races is still within 'reach'.

[Master Po]

Re: Changing distances in NCAA XC

Has anyone every heard a rationale for the way the NCAA sets the distances in XC? Specifically, why do the men normally run 8k all season then switch to 10k for the regionals and nationals? The women seem to always run 6k courses. Is it the same in D2 and D3?

I don't know about D2, but D3 typically runs 8k throughout its season (considering here all their big meets -- invitationals, conferences, regionals, nationals).