Running event to be held in Vancouver, Wash., through 2011

Story courtesy of Dave Haglund, Cascade Collegiate Conference Commissioner

PORTLAND, Ore.- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) today announced it has extended its' agreement with the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) and Concordia University-Portland to co-host the NAIA Cross Country National Championships.

The one-year extension covers the 2011 event, which will be staged Nov. 19 at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver, Wash. The NAIA originally awarded the 2009 and 2010 national championships to the CCC and Concordia in January 2009.

This year's national championships are scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20, also at Fort Vancouver. Race times are set for 10:30 a.m. PDT (women's 5,000 meters) and 11:45 a.m. PDT (men's 8,000 meters).

"We are excited to extend our partnership with the Cascade Collegiate Conference and Concordia University," said Jim Carr, NAIA CEO and President. "Last year, we were impressed by the hospitality the Portland-Vancouver community provided for every one of the participants. We look forward to working with our hosts during the next two years to build upon the momentum established in 2009."

Said Dave Haglund, commissioner of the CCC: "This is a tremendous national event, and we are extremely honored to be able to showcase NAIA student-athletes in the Pacific Northwest for a third consecutive year. We have received unbelievable local support for this championship, which is a testament to our region's affinity for long-distance running and small-college athletics. We look forward to our role serving as hosts of more than 1,000 coaches and athletes representing nearly 140 institutions from across the U.S."

In total, more than 750 student-athletes from the U.S. and Canada will travel to the Portland-Vancouver area for a chance to compete for NAIA team and individual titles. The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is a unique, historic and challenging competition venue that has previously served as the site for a number of world-class cross country championship events, including the USA Men's and Women's Cross Country National Championships and World Cross Country Trials.

"Concordia University is excited to partner once again with the CCC in hosting the premier cross country event in the NAIA," said Matt English, CU's director of athletics. "We look forward to furthering the positive impact in the Portland-Vancouver community, especially with youth in the area through the Champions of Character activities as part of the national championship festivities." 

Following the completion of the regular season, the top 32 men's and 32 women's teams plus individual qualifiers will compete in races covering 8,000 meters (men) and 5,000 meters (women).