In order to be eligible for NIRCA Championships events, runners must have competed in one NIRCA Qualifying event during the season. Events that meet the following guidelines can be sanctioned by NIRCA as Qualifying events for the season:
AFFILIATION
All NIRCA races must be affiliated with the school or club hosting the event, eg. the Binghamton Open or Princeton Running Club Invitational. Events produced/managed by outside parties are not eligible for placement on the race schedule.
QUALIFYING AND NON-QUALIFYING
Qualifier and Non-Qualifier event statuses indicate whether an event is acceptable for meeting the individual eligibility prerequisite for the National Championship. Both types receive the same benefits of NIRCA promotion/resource. Qualifiers must apply for status.
Qualifying status & eligibility criteria apply only for the Fall Season. All Spring events are considered Non-Qualifiers.
RACE PARTICIPATION
All race participants in NIRCA Qualifying events must be members of NIRCA clubs and must conform with any requirements set by the hosting club's university (eg. minimum age, etc).
BENEFITS
All events (Qualifying or Non-Qualifying) receive the same benefits of placement on the NIRCA races schedule, registration/event info hosted on clubrunning.org. Opportunities for promotion on social media are also offered.
EVENT QUALITY
For over ten years, NIRCA has increased recognition of the level of competition and quality of its collegiate events. To keep raising the bar, Qualifying events are held to specific standards on race distance, registration, insurance, and athlete field.
RESULTS
Event results must be uploaded electronically on clubrunning.org within 48 hours after the event.
For complete information, instructions, and details, see the NIRCA Race Director Guide.