Billings to Host MHSA Cross Country Championship
The championship event will take place at Amend Park on October 24, 2026, featuring schools from across the state.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Running
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Billings will host the MHSA Cross Country Championship at Amend Park on October 24, 2026. Runners from Class AA, A, B, and C classifications will compete on the same route during the one-day event.
Why it matters
This championship brings together top athletes from across Montana to compete on a single course. It follows regional qualifying meets like the Western A Fall Classic and the Western B/C Invitational.
Competing athletes include Ben Martin, who clocked a 16:08.50 at a recent meet, and Aleigha Child, who recorded a 19:11.2 finish. These figures provide a baseline for performance entering the state-level competition.
The players
Ben Martin
He is a cross country athlete from the Bitterroot region who holds a recent 16:08.50 finish time.
Aleigha Child
She is a student athlete who recently placed with a time of 19:11.2 and is expected to contend for a top six finish.
The details
Schools from the Bitterroot region, including Corvallis, Stevensville, Hamilton, Darby, Florence, and Victor, will participate across their respective classes. Athletes are looking to capitalize on momentum from previous October invitationals.
Timeline
October 15, 2026: Western B/C Invitational held in Thompson Falls.
October 16, 2026: Western A Fall Classic held in Bigfork.
October 24, 2026: MHSA Cross Country Championship at Amend Park.
Season Trajectory
The championship serves as the final proving ground for runners after regional events like the Western A Fall Classic and Western B/C Invitational. Success here determines the ultimate season rankings for programs across all four Montana classifications.
Athletes like Ben Martin and Aleigha Child are positioned for top placements based on recent performance metrics. The outcome of the Class A, B, and C races will finalize the season standings for participating Bitterroot area programs.
The takeaway
Preparation for the state final relies on the data gathered during regional meets like those in Bigfork and Thompson Falls. Athletes use these individual performance times to gauge their readiness for the high-stakes championship course.
What happens next
The MHSA Cross Country Championship is scheduled for October 24, 2026, at Amend Park in Billings.
Further reading
For more information on local meets and results, visit the Running section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bitterroot Star.
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