by Deji Ogeyingbo
This is the first in a series of weekly collaborations between NIKE Running and RunBlogRun on the joys and struggles of cross country, one of the most iconic parts of our sport. Enjoy this piece by Deji Ogeyingbo, senior writer for RunBlogRun. We call this collaboration, the #JourneytoCompete.
The Origins and Legacy of Nike NXN: Twenty Years of High School Cross Country Excellence
For nearly two decades, the Nike Cross Nationals, or NXN, has been the stage where America’s most promising high school cross country runners measure themselves against the very best. The event has grown into a national institution, drawing athletes from all corners of the United States to Portland, Oregon, where Glendoveer Golf Course becomes the proving ground for speed, strategy, and determination.
The story of NXN begins, perhaps surprisingly, on the Nike campus in Oregon with a small but fiercely competitive meet known as the Nike Border Clash. It was the brainchild of two Nike running enthusiasts, Josh Rowe and John Truax. Their goal was simple: create a spirited yearly competition that brought together the top runners from Oregon and Washington. The Border Clash quickly gained a reputation as a showcase of raw talent and friendly rivalry, a highlight of the cross country season occurring on the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Larry Eder, co-founder of RunBlogRun, recalls his early experiences with the event. “The birthplace of the NIKE NXN is the NIKE Border Clash, developed by two NIKE running dudes, Josh Rowe and John Truax. The Border Clash was the yearly battle, on NIKE campus, between Oregon and Washington’s top cross country runners. I remember the year Galen Rupp won. It would be on the weekend before Thanksgiving, and each year, NIKE really tried to do something different.” He adds, “I think I went to the first decade of Border Clash meets. I loved it.”
The enthusiasm surrounding the Border Clash planted the seeds for something larger. NXN emerged not merely as a continuation of that tradition but as a national championship that celebrated high school cross country in a way no other meet had. Its structure recognized both team and individual achievement, bringing together the finest high school runners across the country.
Since its inception, NXN has been the culmination of a series of eight regional qualifying meets, each sending top athletes and teams to Portland. Over the years, it has become a proving ground for runners who would go on to national and even international success. Names like Galen Rupp, who would later claim Olympic medals in distance running, and Katelyn Tuohy, the first female athlete to win three consecutive NXN titles, have passed through these courses. Nico Young, another standout, broke the course record in 2019, leaving a mark on the event that still resonates.
The meet itself is a careful balance of challenge and spectacle. Teams compete under USATF rules, with scoring based on the top five finishers, while individual runners push themselves to their limits in pursuit of personal and national recognition. The Glendoveer course is known for its rolling hills and tactical complexity, demanding both endurance and strategic pacing. For many high school runners, stepping onto this course is both an honor and a test of character.
NXN continues to grow. In a major development for the 2025-26 season, USA Track & Field and Nike announced that the event will serve as host for the USATF Cross Country Championships on December 6-7 in Portland. This expansion will bring together U20, Masters, and elite runners alongside the high school athletes, creating a weekend of competition that spans generations of talent.
USATF CEO Max Siegel emphasized the significance of the partnership. “NXN has historically brought together some of the brightest young stars for a competitive environment like none other, and with a home world championships on the horizon, we can’t wait to celebrate the talent and grit on display for two days of cross country competition.” The 2025-26 Championships will also serve as a selection event for the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, giving NXN participants the chance to see their performances linked directly to international opportunities.
The event structure will now feature a 2 km race for the mixed 4×2 km relay, alongside team and individual races at 5 km and 10 km distances. The high school athletes will take center stage early in the weekend, followed by elite runners vying for team qualification, U20 athletes competing for Team USATF spots, and Masters runners capping off the competition. It is a full weekend of racing that highlights the depth and diversity of cross country in the United States.
Over its nearly twenty-year history, NXN has remained more than a championship. It has become a community where coaches, runners, and fans share a passion for the sport. It has launched careers, forged friendships, and created a legacy of high school competition that inspires athletes each year to test their limits.
