#TheJourneytoCompete, A cross-country newsletter, Issue #7, November 21, 2025
#TheJourneytoCompete is a celebration of all things cross-country and a collaboration between #NIKErunning and #RunBlogRun. We will publish #JourneytoCompete weekly, on Fridays, from October 10, 2025, to January 15, 2026! To subscribe, send an email with your email address to runblogrun@gmail.com. We will sign you up! We will post archived copies of the NIKE Newsletter at runblogrun.com and RunningNetwork.com
| NIKE NXR Heartland, photo by Michael G. Brown for NIKE communications |
NIKE Air Structure 26
Do you need a motion control shoe? Then, consider the Air Structure 26. The Air Structure 26 is an excellent part of your running shoe arsenal as you build your fitness! Four-time Olympian Galen Rupp loves the Air Structure 26. Galen told #RunBlogRun that he likes to change it up with Air Structure 26 and several other NIKE running models for his daily training!
Learn more about the NIKE Air Structure 26 at www.nikerunning.com
| NIKE #TheJourneytoCompete Feature! | Be Like Jakob (Jakob Ingebrigtsen, that is! ) |
Be Like Jakob (Jakob Ingebrigtsen, that is! )
Jakob Ingebrigtsen will focus on World records in 2026, but before he goes there, he will be racing the 2025 SPAR European Athletics Cross Country Championships!
Link here:https://www.runblogrun.com/2025/11/be-like-jakob.html?swcfpc=1
Remember, Jakob Ingebrigtsen will represent his country, Norway, on December 14, 2025, at the 2025 SPAR European Athletics Cross Country Championships in Lagoa, Portugal. You can watch the #SPAREuropeanCrossCountry LIVE on December 14 for FREE via streaming at www.european-athletics.com .
Here’s a cool story from our friends at European Athletics: Can Anyone challenge Jakob Ingebrigtsen at the 2025 SPAR European Cross Country?
| Learning from Galen Rupp! | Galen Rupp, photo by How Lao Photography |
Galen Rupp ran the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, where he finished in a time of 2:09:40, without pain! The four-time Olympian (10,000 meters in Beijing 2008, 10,000 meters in London 2012, where he placed second for the silver medal, Marathon in Rio 2016, where he took the bronze medal, and Marathon in Tokyo 2021, where he took 8th place). This was Galen’s first marathon in 20 months as he had to rehab his hip.
This is a remarkable interview with Galen Rupp from the October 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
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The NXR Heartland Regional (November 9, 2025) - NXR Heartland, photo by Michael G. Brown for NIKE communications
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NIKE NXR Regional Qualifying for the 2025 NIKE Cross Country Nationals! (Results and photo galleries)
The NXR Heartland Regional (November 9, 2025), Yankton Trail Park, South Dakota, photos by Michael G. Brown for NIKE Communications.
And here is our RunBlogRun Photo gallery on NXR Heartland, with photos courtesy of NIKE communications! Here are the complete results, plus a photo gallery courtesy of NIKE communications! READ MORE
The NXR Northwest Regional, November 14-15, 2025, Spokane, Washington, photo gallery by Kenneth Weber.
Photo Gallery & Results: #NXR Northwest Results and Photo Gallery, November 14-15, 2025
The NXR Midwest Regional, November 16, 2025, LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course, Terre Haute, Indiana, photo by John Konstantaras
Photo Gallery & Results: #NXR Midwest Results and Photo Gallery, November 16, 2025, https://www.runblogrun.com/2025/11/nxr-midwest-november-16-2025-terre-haute-indiana-results-and-photo-gallery-by-john-konstantaras.html?swcfpc=1
| | NIKE presents #TheJourneytoCompete Interviews series: | | #TheJourneytoCompete Interview, Episode 1 | | Juli Benson’s journey from a 400-meter runner to an Olympic 1,500-meter competitor was marked by many challenges, as with most athletes. During much of that time, Juli wanted to be a coach, a vocation which she has pursued with vigor! Listen to her story and learn from her suggestions! | Cooper Lutkenhaus, Micro Clip 1, Going Pro (from Issue #5) | | Cooper Lutkenhaus, photo by Kevin Morris |
Cooper Lutkenhaus is the Track & Field News Male athlete of the year for 2025. Cooper set the World Under-18 and American Under-20 World records for the Men’s 800 meters, with his fine 1:42.37, taking second in the USATF Outdoor 800 meters.
In this clip, Cooper spoke about going professional during this past summer and foregoing his eligibility as a high school athlete. Cooper is training daily with his high school teammates, who are his friends and classmates.
| | From Issue #4: Cooper Lutkenhaus, the RunBlogRun Interview | | To listen to the entire interview of Cooper Luktenhaus, | |
From Issue #3: Connor Mantz Breaks AR for the Marathon with his 2:04:43, and eyes a bid for the U.S. World Cross-Country team! | |
The NIKE Interview: Connor Mantz, new American record holder, Marathon (2:04:43). On October 12, 2025, Connor Mantz, who was 8th in the Paris Olympic marathon, finished fourth at the #BankofAmericaChicagomarathon, breaking the 23-year-old American record of Khalid Khannouchi! Here’s the story!
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From Issue #2: Sinclaire Johnson is the new American record holder for the Mile!
| Sinclaire Johnson, photo by Kevin Morris | This interview was conducted just before the Tokyo World Championships, where Sinclaire competed in the 1,500 meters. A state high school cross-country champion, Sinclaire Johnson, is an excellent example of how cross-country helps build middle-distance runners! Enjoy the interview by Larry Eder. Sinclaire Johnson is sponsored by NIKE. |
The NIKE Vomero 18 is the first of the three shoes in the Vomero channel. Well cushioned, the Vomero 18 gives the runner a cushioned ride while being sturdy enough for the hard miles you put in the fall as you build fitness for cross-country! Learn more about the Vomero 18 at www.nikerunning.com!
| Cross-Country History Lesson Number 8: Could Cross-Country return to the Olympics? |
Cross-country is one of the largest sports on the high school calendar, for both boys and girls! Each state has a state meet, and the buildup to the state meet is always exciting.
After the state meets (only NY and CA are not completed early in November), the NXR regional meets give athletes from all over the country the chance to qualify with their teams as well as individually for the NIKE Cross Nationals!
But cross-country is not just a U.S. phenomenon; it is a global phenomenon! European Athletics Champs Cross Country will have over 59 federations competing on December 14. On January 10, 2026, all of the best teams in the world will descend upon Tallahassee, Florida, for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships!
This is the first time, since 1992, that the World Cross Country is being held in the U.S.! The U.S. teams will be decided at the USATF Cross Country Championships, to be held on December 6, 2025 in Portland, Oregon, in conjunction with the NIKE Cross Nationals!
Up until 1924, Cross-Country was part of the Olympics. There were team races and individual races as well.
Seb Coe, President of World Athletics, is working to get cross-country approved in the 2030 Winter Olympics!
What do you think?
| Cross-Country History Lesson Number 7: “Become One with the Mud!” Lynn Jennings | Nike ad of Pat Porter and Lynn Jennings, from NIKE archives |
“Become One with the Mud, “ Lynn Jennings (History lesson #7)!
Enjoy this story on Lynn Jennings, the only American to win Nine U.S. Cross Country Championships, plus winning three World Athletics Cross Country Champs, two WA Indoor medals at 3,000 meters and one Olympic bronze at 10,000 meters! Enjoy our story!
| Special Cross-Country Bonus: Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan talk to fans, NIKE House of Innovation, November 3, 2025! | Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan, November 5, 2025, photo by NIKE | Interview with Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan, by NIKE’s Coach Bennett, November 5, 2025, NIKE House of Innovation. Read the Story and see the interview. | The Pegasus 41 is a great entry-level training shoe from NIKE. Fast, sturdy, good for trails and roads, the NIKE Pegasus 41 is the perfect entry level shoe for the beginning high school runner. Many elite runners love the Pegasus 41 for its sleekness and suggestion of speed! To learn more, click on www.nikerunning.com | #NXR Northwest, photo by John Konstantaras for NIKE communications |
From Issue #1: How did Nike Cross Nationals begin? Here’s the story!
How did the NIKE Cross Nationals begin? Here’s a great story on the celebration of high school team cross-country! Read this story on Twenty Years of NIKE Cross, by Deji Ogeyingbo!
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.
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#ForShoeGeeksOnly, Do you need a great cross-country racing shoe? Here you go! Check out the NIKE DragonFly XC 3!
| Artwork for DragonFlyXC interview, artwork by Mike Deering/The Shoe Addicts |
#ForShoeGeeksOnly: What’s the Matumbo? Read on, curious readers
| The Matumbo story is classic NIKE. Bernard Lagat, 2007 World Champion at both the 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters, told Johnny Truax, a former NIKE shoe geek, this story about the “Matumbo”. NIKE PLM for Track & Field, Patrick Richie, with the encouragment of NIKE PLM for Track & Field and Road Racing, Natalie Kile, told #RunBlogRun this story that should go Viral! | Artwork for DragonFlyXC interview, artwork by Mike Deering/The Shoe Addicts | #ForShoeGeeksOnly, What did the elite wear in Tokyo, and what are the special launches for November and January from NIKE? Check this out! | Jane Hedengren is Three for Three in College Cross-Country! | Jane Hedengren, photo by BYU |
Jane Hedengren is Three for Three in College Cross-Country!
Jane Hedengren sets two course records in her first two races for the College Cross-Country powerhouse, Brigham Young University! In race three, Jane Hedengren won the NCAA Mountain Regional!
In her second college cross-country race, Jane Hedengren won the Big Twelve Cross-Country Championships, setting a course record of 18:29.6 and leading the BYU women to their third consecutive cross-country team title. Jane’s 18:29.6 is her 6-kilometer cross-country PB!
In her third college cross-country race, Jane Hedengren won the NCAA Mountain Regional, in 19:06.6, winning by 42 seconds. Jane led her team to an impressive performance, with BYU, putting six runners in the top 20!
Of Jane Hedengren, Diljeet Taylor, BYU Women’s Cross Country Head coach, told the #DeseretNews:
“She is one of one. I talk about her being, instead of a generational talent, a Jane-rational talent, and that’s true. She’s proving that week in, week out,” Taylor said.
Watch Jane Hedengren compete in the #NCAA Cross Country Championships, on November 22, 2025! You can watch the entire race LIVE on ESPNU!
Go Jane Hedengren!
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From the RunBlogRun ARCHIVES:
The Finest of Cross Country Stories, From the Archives, The Story of Janet Bristol, The Roads Not Taken: The Untold Story of Janet Bristol, one of America’s most promising distance runners, a story by Rich Englehart with photos by Jeff Johnson.
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Janet Bristol, 1970 New England AAU Cross Country,
photo by Jeff Johnson, used with permission
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Faith Kipegon, photo by NIKE Communications
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Faith Kipyegon just loves the NIKE Vomero Premium! Have you taken a run in the most cushioned shoe from NIKE?
Faith Kipyegon loves it. Connor Mantz loves it, what are you waiting for? Learn more at www.nikerunning.com
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A Quote from Steve Prefontaine, Week #7:
| Steve Prefontaine, photo by Nike Communications |
Steve Prefontaine led the Oregon Ducks to the NCAA Cross-Country Championships in 1973. Before his death, Steve Prefontaine owned the American records for the 2000 meters-10,000 meters as well as the 2 miles-6 miles.
In 1973, Steve Prefontaine won his final cross-country title at the NCAA. He came from way back to defeat Nick Rose, who had built up a huge lead. After the race, Steve Prefontaine told reporters that it was his most satisfying cross-country win.
“Pre,” as his fans called him, had an unquenchable desire to challenge himself. Here is our quote for Week 7:
"What kind of crazy nut would spend two or three hours a day just running?" ~ Steve Prefontaine
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If you like the ride of the NIKE Pegasus 41, and the swift feel of the NIKE Pegasus PLUS, then, you will love the cushioned ride of the NIKE Pegasus Premium. A good long run shoe, easy day shoe, the NIKE Pegasus Premium is the third of three wonderful shoes in the NIKE Pegasus channel. To learn more, go to www.nikerunning.com.
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The NIKE Cross Nationals 2025-Has Your Team Signed up Yet? Just Do it!
We are in weekend 3 of the Nike Cross-Country regionals! You can watch them on www.runnerspace.com on November 22nd (requires a subscription for the NXRs, but NXN viewing will be FREE).
The NIKE Cross Nationals are the ultimate cross-country event, celebrating the team spirit and great tradition of the sport. For more information, please go to: www.NIKECrossNationals.com
| The NIKE Cross Nationals 2025 |
The regional schedule and registration information for the 2025 NIKE NXN Regional series can be found at www.NIKECrossNationals.com.
Nine regionals give athletes a chance to qualify for the NIKE Cross Nationals. Two teams for boys, two teams for girls from each race, plus the top five athletes not on the top two teams move on to the NIKE Cross Nationals on December 6, 2025!
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November 9, 2025
NXR Heartland Regional - Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
States include: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. CLICK RESULTS HERE
November 14-15, 2025
NXR Northwest Regional - Spokane, Washington
States include: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.
https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/253950/more
November 16, 2025
NXR Midwest Regional - Terre Haute, Indiana
States include: Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Missouri.
https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/253951/info
November 22, 2025
NXR Southwest Regional - Mesa, Arizona
States include: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah.
NXR Southeast Regional - Cary, North Carolina
States include: Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia and District of Columbia.
NXR Northeast Regional - Wappingers Falls, New York
States include: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
NXR New York Regional - Wappingers Falls, New York
State included: New York.
November 24, 2025
NXR South Regional - The Woodlands, Texas
States include: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Mississippi.
Nike Cross Nationals Information
December 6, 2025
Nike Cross Nationals - Glendoveer Golf Course, Portland, Oregon.
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The NIKE XC newsletter: Back issues. Please share with your teams and friends!
Issues 6, November 14, 2025, NIKE XC Presents, #TheJourneytoCompete, A cross-country Newsletter, Be like Jakob! Lynn Jennings, “Become One with the Mud!”, https://www.runningnetwork.com/index.php/news/448-nike-xc-newsletter-thejourneytocompete-a-cross-country-newsletter-issue-6-november-14-2025
Issue 5, November 7, 2025 NIKE XC Presents, #TheJourneytoCompete, Cooper Lutkenhaus clip, Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan at NIKE House of Innovation, link
https://runningnetwork.com/index.php/news/447-thejourneytocompete-a-cross-country-newsletter-issue-5
Issue 4, October 31, 2025, NIKE XC Presents,
#TheJourneytoCompete, A cross-country newsletter, Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan, beginnings in cross-country, Cooper Lutkenhaus Interview, Eliud and Sifan Interview,
https://runningnetwork.com/index.php/news/446-thejoussue4
Issue 3, October 24, 2025, NIKE XC presents, #TheJourneytoCompete, A cross-country newsletter, Conner Mantz Interview,
https://runningnetwork.com/index.php/features/444-thejourneytocompete-a-cross-country-newsletter-issue-3-october-24-2025
Issue 2, October 17, 2025, The NIKE XC Newsletter, #TheJourneytoCompete, Sinclaire Johnson Interview, AR holder Women’s Mile, http://www.runningnetwork.com/index.php/features/443-thejourneytocompete-a-cross-country-newsletter-issue-2-october-17-2025
Issue 1, October 10, 2025, The NIKE XC Newsletter, #TheJourneytoCompete, 20 Years of High School Cross-Country Excellence, the story of the NIKE Cross Nationals, http://www.runningnetwork.com/index.php/news/440-nike-xc-newsletter-journey-to-compete-issue-1-october-10-2025
The #JourneytoCompete is a newsletter celebrating cross-country for high school athletes and providing weekly updates on the NIKE Cross Nationals and NIKE running shoes.
You have just read the NIKE XC newsletter, issue 7, #TheJourneytoCompete, a newsletter celebrating all things cross-country! Have suggestions on what to cover? Please email us at fortiusmedia@gmail.com with the subject NIKE XC!
For more information, please go to www.nikerunning.com
#TheJourneytoCompete Staff:
Newsletter Production: Chuck Bartlett
Copy Editor: Kathleen Camara
Writers: Deji Ogeyingbo, Stuart Weir
Editor: Larry Eder
Photo Credits:
NIKE Communications
Kevin Morris
Brian Eder
Jeff Johnson
How Lao Photography
Kenneth Weber
Michael G. Brown
John Konstantaras
The #JourneytoCompete is a collaboration between #NIKErunning and #RunBlogRun.
To learn more about RunBlogRun, please go to www.runblogrun.com.
Copyright 2025 by Fortius Media Group, LLC
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