2026 MITCA Michigan Meet of Champions Presented by HOKA (Team Michigan Senior Mid East Qualifier)
About the race
MITCA is hosting its 7th Annual Michigan Meet of Champions and Mid East Qualifier, presented by HOKA.
This meet has always served as the Mid East Qualifier; in 2020, a new and fun format was created for competing runners.
Saturday schedule
11:00am - Course preview and check-in. Please do not try to check in before 11am, as volunteers will not be ready. Check-in will be all day long.
- 12:30pm - Boys Elite Open #1 (races assigned by school affiliation and seed time)
- 1:00pm - Boys Elite Team Race
- 1:30pm - Girls Elite Open
- 2:00pm - Girls Elite Team Race
- 2:30pm - Boys Elite Open #2 (races assigned by school affiliation and seed time)
- 2:55pm - Boys All-Comers Open #1 (races assigned by school affiliation and seed time)
- 3:25pm - Boys All-Comers Open #2 (races assigned by school affiliation and seed time)
- 3:55pm - Girls All-Comers Open
NOTE: Specific races will not be assigned until after the posted registration deadlines. As of now, all entries are being put into a generic 'Girls 5k' and 'Boys 5k'.
Mid-East qualifier and travel
Top senior performers will be invited to represent Team Michigan at the Mid-East Meet of Champions in Kettering, Ohio on Saturday, November 21st. The top 10 fastest seniors on November 14th will be invited regardless of the race they compete in, and the next placing top performers will fill the remaining spots.
Team Michigan will travel by charter bus on Friday, November 20th with the Team Michigan coaching staff, with lodging and food provided, and athletes will compete in their custom HOKA Team Michigan uniform.
There will be three series of races on Saturday, November 14th.
Elite 'Team' race eligibility
To be considered for the Elite 'Team' Race, an athlete must either have a qualifying 5K cross country time or a comparable body of work to suggest they would be competitive.
- The anticipated Boys/Girls qualifying standard is 16:00.0/19:20.0 (updated 9/6/2026).
- Runners must be currently in 9th - 12th grade. No exceptions.
- Achieving the standard does not guarantee entry into the field.
After the field is set, there will be a live draft on a social media platform. There will be 16 teams with 9 runners on each team. Registrants will be drafted by one of our sponsors, who will provide racing tops.
Elite 'Open' race eligibility
To be considered for the Elite 'Open' Race, an athlete must either have a qualifying 5K cross country time or a comparable body of work to suggest they would be competitive.
- The anticipated Boys/Girls qualifying standard is sub 16:45.0/21:45.0 (updated 9/06/26).
- Runners in 6th-12th grade may compete in this section.
- Achieving the standard does not guarantee entry into the field.
Races are divided alphabetically by school to allow teammates to compete together and to provide a slight separation in performances.
'Open' race eligibility and seed times
All runners are eligible to compete in the 'Open' Race. All grades are welcome, and adults are welcome to compete as well.
Once registered, you can log in at any time to update your seed time as your season progresses. 2025 cross country performances are the only allowed mark and must be verified. Meet management may also update your mark along the way.
Cancellation policy
Athletes can cancel their registration, but no refund is given.
Refunds are not allowed for this race.
The course
Girls 5K race details
Elite 'Team' race: To be considered, an athlete must either have a qualifying 5K cross country time or comparable body of work. Anticipated 5k cross country is Sub 19:25.0.
Elite 'Open' race: To be considered, an athlete must either have a qualifying 5K cross country time or comparable body of work. Anticipated 5k cross country is Sub 21:30.
All-Comers Open: Runners of all ages are welcome to compete in this race. No competitive standard is set. Everyone is welcome!
Achieving the standard does not guarantee entry into the field.
Boys 5K race details
Elite 'Team' race: To be considered, an athlete must either have a qualifying 5K cross country time or comparable body of work. Anticipated 5k cross country is Sub 16:00.
Elite 'Open' race: To be considered, an athlete must either have a qualifying 5K cross country time or comparable body of work. Anticipated 5k cross country is Sub 16:45.0.
All-Comers Open: Runners of all ages are welcome to compete in this race. No competitive standard is set. Everyone is welcome!
Location
City insight: Shepherd
Located within Coe Township, Shepherd is a village in Isabella County in central Michigan, United States, with 1,469 residents at the 2020 census. The humid continental climate gives warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Late spring and early autumn are the best seasons to race.
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