School Season
Six weeks each spring
Every registered school finishes its season with a race day at 500m, 800m and 1600m. Every runner competes.
AYRA Championships
The Road to Nationals
It begins on a school field in the spring and ends with the fastest elementary runners in America on one start line. Every AYRA runner can see the whole path from day one.
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Regional Championships
Two weeks after school race day
Top qualifying runners from each school meet regional competition on a certified AYRA course.
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State Championships
Late spring
Regional qualifiers race for a state title, state records and an invitation to Nationals.
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AYRA National Championships
End of the spring season
The season's finish line: national titles, national records and a stadium full of families.
Championship Information
- Locations
- Regional and state sites announced by region ahead of each spring season.
- Dates
- Championship weekends follow the six-week school season in the spring.
- Qualifying Standards
- Published per grade and distance before race week so runners know the target.
- Race Maps
- Course maps and start-line diagrams are shared with schools and families in advance.
- Travel Information
- Host-city lodging, arrival timing and packet pickup details for traveling teams.
- Championship Merchandise
- 500 / 800 / 1600 Club shirts, medals and finisher gear at every championship.
Results & Records
AYRA National Records
Every championship time entered into the AYRA results system feeds the national record board and the national rankings by grade, state, distance and season.
500M
Grades K–1
This record opens with the inaugural spring season. The first runner to cross the line owns it.
800M
Grades 2–3
This record opens with the inaugural spring season. The first runner to cross the line owns it.
1600M
Grades 4–5
This record opens with the inaugural spring season. The first runner to cross the line owns it.
AYRA National Rankings
Championship results are recorded by grade, division, state, distance and season, so runners and families can look up performances, compare seasons and celebrate school records year after year.