2026 NIKE XC Town Twilight
Presented by the The Garrett Companies
Cross Country Town USA, the Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Terre Haute South Vigo High School are excited to host the 2026 Nike XC Town Twilight at the legendary LaVern Gibson Cross Country course, host of 15 national championships and this year’s IHSAA State and NXR Midwest Regional Cross Country Championships.
Compete in a festive, championship-style atmosphere alongside some of the best teams from the Midwest and across the nation. Fireworks and fanfare will make this an unforgettable event! The boys' and girls' USA Race of Champions, presented by Nike, will take place after sunset—under the lights!
Again in 2026! Due to massive growth in our meet, we will once again have a boys and girls Open section on Friday night “under the lights.”
Meet Date & Location
Fri. & Sat, October 2-3, 2026 LaVern Gibson Championship XC Course, Terre Haute IN
What High Schools Can Compete?
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NFHS Sanctioned Event – All teams and individuals must represent their high school and be in good standing with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
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Who Can Compete? – All NFHS-member high school teams are welcome, regardless of location. Teams must register under their school affiliation.
How Do I Register?
Registration opens June 2nd, 2026. Use the link HERE to register.
All schools that register will need to sign a contract with the host school, Terre Haute South High School. Please fill out the form at the link below and send to Ed Jarvis at edj@vigoschools.org.
Entry Fees
$180.00 per team of 10 (Open/ROC)
$45.00 per individual athlete
$400.00 bulk fee per school
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Entry fees can be made via credit card on AthleticNET or other arrangements must be made ahead of the meet.
Entry Deadline
Sunday, September 27 at 1:00pm EDT
Race Schedule
Friday, October 2, 2026
3:30 pm Course Opens
5:00 pm College Women 6k
5:45 pm College Men 8k
6:30 pm HS Girls Open JV^
7:15 pm HS Boys Open JV^
8:00 pm HS Girls Friday Open*
8:35 pm HS Boys Friday Open*
9:20 pm High School Awards
TBD Fireworks to follow awards
Saturday, October 3, 2026
4:15 pm Course Opens
4:45 pm Girls JV #1^
5:15 pm Boys JV #1^
5:45 pm Girls JV #2^
6:15 pm Boys JV #2^
6:45 pm Girls Open #1*
7:15 pm Boys Open #1*
7:45 pm Girls Open #2*
8:15 pm Boys Open #2*
8:45 pm Boys Open #3*
9:15 pm Girls Race of Champions*
9:45 pm Boys Race of Champions*
10:15 pm Awards
TBD Fireworks to follow awards
The boys and girls Race of Champions sections will be seeded by meet management and will include the top 35-40 teams that enter each section. Teams not selected for these championship races, will be moved to the Open race.
* = Limit of 10 entries per team
^ = Unlimited entries
Awards Ceremonies - Saturday
All Awards begin immediately following girls ROC (approximately 10pm)
*Fireworks to follow
JV Races
Saturday’s JV#1 and JV#2 races will be combined for purposes of awards.
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Team Champion Trophy
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Top 5 individuals receive finisher t-shirts
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Top 15 individuals receive medals
Open Races
Saturday’s Open #1, #2, #3 will be combined for awards
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Team Champion Trophy
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Top 5 individuals receive finisher t-shirts
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Top 15 individuals receive medals
Race of Champions
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Team Champion & Runner-Up Trophies
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Top 10 individuals receive finisher t-shirts
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Top 15 individuals receive medals
Which Race Should I Register For?
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JV and Open sections are open for registration at the coach’s discretion. Register for a race section that works best for your team’s schedule. Open and JV races may be combined at the close of registration based on entries. If this happens an updated meet schedule will be sent.
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The Race of Champions is limited to the top 35-40 teams per race. Teams not selected will be placed in one of the Open sections determined by race management based on entries.
Packet Pick-up
Friday beginning at 3:30 pm
Saturday beginning at 4:15 pm
ALL PACKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ON SITE AT LAVERN GIBSON at the tent located near tent city.
Retail Sales
Nike apparel will be for sale beginning at 4:15 pm on race day.
Bib Numbers / Chip Timing
Bib chips will be used. Each athlete will be assigned a bib number and corresponding chip. Athletes must wear the assigned bib number and chips.
Box Assignments
Box number assignments will be included in the packets and will be available at check-in. They will also be available at the event website HERE
Results
Results will be available on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticNET, and xctowntwilight.com
Spectator Admission
$5 per person, children under 10 are free. Parking is free!
Beverages
Bottles of Gatorade and water will be available to athletes on site.
Lost & Found
Any lost and found items can be picked up at the packet pick up area in the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center (same location as packet pick up and awards pick up).