2026 Ohio Cross Country Middle School State Championships

The Ohio Cross Country Middle School State Championships take place at Dublin Jerome High School, featuring races for middle school and elementary runners. This meet, now in its second decade, is organized with unique touches beyond a standard school race: coaches receive zippered team bags instead of paper packets, each runner gets a neoprene wristband with a personal message, and music plays throughout the day. The course navigates through wooded areas and concludes with a straight path in front of the football stadium, allowing spectators an unobstructed view of the finish. Many of Ohio’s top young cross-country runners compete here, and the event incorporates engaging traditions for younger participants: the top 15 in each race earn custom red-enamel medals and handmade chocolate bars, with five bars containing Golden Tickets for free T-shirts. Additionally, the top three finishers are awarded large 5-pound gummy bears. One top-15 runner in each race can win a large gumball machine via a ping-pong-ball draw, where a green ball grants one to every top-15 finisher. Winning teams are also recognized individually, with championship medals distributed to every member, regardless of team size.