By Zach Emerson
Next fall is shaping up to be one of the biggest cross country seasons yet at the Hopkinton Fairgrounds Championship Cross Country Course, as the Hopkinton Runners Society prepares to host several of New Hampshire’s premier meets across the high school, middle school, collegiate, club, and youth levels.
The Hopkinton venue — known for its spectator-friendly layout, championship atmosphere, and iconic barn centerpiece — will once again serve as one of the focal points of New England cross country this fall.
Below is a collection of important information, dates and resources for coaches, athletes, and spectators to use when planning their fall!
NHIAA High School Meet of Champions – Saturday, November 7
The biggest event of the season will be the 2026 NHIAA High School Meet of Champions, scheduled for Saturday, November 7.
Additional information regarding the Meet of Champions — including official meet packets, qualification procedures, schedules, and updates — will be released directly by the NHIAA and posted on Lancer Timing later this season.
Coaches are encouraged to monitor both NHIAA communications and Lancer Timing regularly for updates as championship season approaches.
High School JV State Championships Return to Hopkinton – Friday, October 23rd
The Hopkinton Fairgrounds Championship Cross Country Course will also host the JV State Championships this fall.
In a unique and exciting development, all divisions will compete at the same site on the same day — something that has not occurred in many years. The meet provides developing athletes from across the state an opportunity to compete on one of New England’s premier championship courses in a true statewide championship atmosphere. This meet is only open to those athletes NOT projected to be on a varsity teams’ top-7 that’ll compete in the following week’s NHIAA divisional champs.
The 52nd Middle School State Championships – Saturday, October 24
The New Hampshire Middle School State Championships, the oldest middle school state meet in the nation) will return to Hopkinton on Saturday, October 24 for its 52nd edition. And for the first time, all four middle school divisions will compete together on the same day at the championship venue.
With the change to have all 4 divisions compete on the same day, the meet continues to grow into one of the largest youth cross country events in New England and will provide middle school athletes the opportunity to race on the same course used for state, regional, and collegiate championship competition – but in a more traditional 3k course layout.
New for 2026: Middle School Meet of Champions – Friday October 30
One of the most exciting additions to this year’s schedule is the creation of the first-ever Middle School Meet of Champions on Friday October 30th (day before high school divisional champs).
Participation in the October 24 Middle School State Championships will serve as a qualifier for the new championship event. Even more exciting: the inaugural Meet of Champions will be completely free for participating teams and athletes.
Additional details, qualification information, and meet packet information for the new event will be released later this summer.
Hopkinton Cross Country Festival – Saturday, October 10
Because of the number of major championship meets taking place at Hopkinton this fall, the 2026 Hopkinton Cross Country Festival on Saturday, October 10 is expected to draw one of the largest fields in event history.
Middle school and high school teams from throughout New Hampshire and New England are encouraged to attend to preview the championship course ahead of the postseason.
Collegiate, Club, and Junior Olympic Events Also Returning
The Hopkinton Cross Country Festival kicks off again on Friday, October 9 with the return of the prestigious NEICAAA All-New England Championships for collegiate of all 3 NCAA divisional battling it out for top honors.
The course will also host the NIRCA Northeast Club Running Championships, as well as USATF Junior Olympic Association and Regional Championship races later in November. Information regarding those events will be released later this summer and fall through their respective organizations.
About the Hopkinton Runners Society…
The Hopkinton Runners Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing cross country and distance running through championship-caliber events, community engagement, and youth opportunities. In partnership with local schools, organizations, and volunteers, the Society helps operate events at the nationally recognized Hopkinton Fairgrounds Championship Cross Country Course, which annually hosts thousands of athletes and spectators from across New England. Proceeds from HRS events support local youth programs, community initiatives, annual scholarships for Hopkinton student-athletes.
