• The 2026 Kentucky Beef Council State Cross Country Championships will take place back at the Kentucky Horse Park on October 31. 
• Athletes qualifying for state will have an opportunity to come to the Kentucky Horse Park course for practice on Friday, October 31, from 3-5:30 PM (ET). A coach or school representative must attend practice with the athletes.
• The State Meet time schedule will feature Class 3A girls at 10:00 AM with the boys' race following at 10:45 AM. Class 2A will follow with the girls' race at 12:30 PM and the boys' at 1:15 PM. Class 1A will conclude the day with the girls' race at 3:00 PM and the boys' at 3:45 PM (Eastern Time). 
• State meet qualifiers will be determined on Sunday, October 25, and released via the KHSAA website. There are no changes to the qualifying procedure. 
• The State qualifying process for Cross Country will be:
• 1 full team enters the Region Meet, 1 team advances.
• 2-3 full teams enter the Region Meet, 2 teams advance.
• 4-5 full teams enter the Region Meet, 3 teams advance.
• 6-7 full teams enter the Region Meet, 4 teams advance.
• 8-10 full teams enter the Region Meet, 5 teams advance.
• 11 or more full teams enter the Region Meet, 6 teams advance.
• After the teams qualifying for State are determined, the top five (5) individuals from teams NOT advancing to State will qualify for the State Meet as individuals.

Any Cross Country specific questions should be sent to Assistant Commissioner Sarah Bridenbaugh (sbridenbaugh@khsaa.org).