MIDDLE SCHOOL
MEET INFORMATION
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2026
Welcome to the 2026 Maryland XC Invitational presented by Brooks!
MDXC was built with one purpose - to give runners of all abilities the best cross country experience possible.
DATE
Friday, October 9, 2026
LOCATION
Shawan Downs
1401 Shawan Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030
OPEN RACE
The Open division is designated for any athlete NOT participating as a member of an organized school team, and is open to 5th-8th graders. Boys and girls with compete together in one race, but results will be separated by gender.
ADDITIONAL ENTRY INFORMATION
Registration will close at 4:00 PM on race day.
Athletes must be current 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade students. Younger & older athletes are not permitted to participate in the open race.
ENTRY FEES
Individual Entries: $30 per athlete for Open athletes
Entries will close Friday, October 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Registration must be completed online here - no paper entries will be accepted.
Race packets (bib number & safety pins) will be available for pickup from the finish line from 1:00 PM until the race start at 4:00 PM.
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
12:30 PM - Onsite Parking Opens
1:00 PM - Bib Pickup Opens (Finish Line Stewards Stand)
2:00 PM - School Championship Coaches Meeting (Finish Line Stewards Stand)
2:30 PM - School Championship Boys Race
3:00 PM - School Championship Girls Race
3:30 PM - School Championship Awards Ceremony
4:00 PM - Open Race (Boys & Girls Combined)
4:30 PM - Open Race Awards
*Schedule subject to change
VENUE
The Shawan Downs property is a race venue unlike any other. Please take note of critical areas including race medical, bus loading/unloading, and the team area.
COURSE
The 2-Mile Middle School course at Shawan Downs was designed to create a true championship experience. A wide starting line and 1/3 mile straightaway transitions to a consistent 5m wide path lined on both sides traversing the property. With no loops or crossing points each race can begin on time and give each athlete the true cross country experience. The races finishes with a 1/4 mile long straightaway, crossing the line at the George Brown Jr. Stewards’ Stand. The natural landscape allows for hilltop views of the start and finish areas for spectators.
STAGING AREA
Open athletes and their parents should stage in the spectator viewing area (adjacent to finish line) prior to race time, but are welcome to head to the team area when they are ready to race.
Athlete restrooms will be available just inside the track near the team area.
Please help us keep the property clean by ensuring all trash has been picked up from your area before you depart.
PARKING
Parents bringing athletes to the meet will be able to park onsite in the general parking area marked on the map below. Please enter the property at the “East” entrance (Map Here) and you will be directed to the parking area.
ADA parking is available with valid Handicap Plates or Hangtag.
Please plan to arrive at least 1 hour prior to the start of the race to allow for parking, bib pickup, warmup, etc.
AWARDS
Awards will given as follows:
Top 20 Individual Boys & Girls Finishers (Open Race)
Results will be posted on the results page here at the conclusion of the race.
MEDICAL SUPPORT
MedStar Health, the premier medical team in Baltimore, will be onsite to provide medical support for runners. A private EMT service will also be onsite for the duration of the event. As always, in the event of a serious or life-threatening injury/accident please call 911 immediately and then notify meet staff as soon as possible.
Please advise any athletes with specific allergies, asthma, or other health conditions to bring any medicines they may need to the meet in case treatment is needed.
RUNNER RELEASE FORM
The property at Shawan Downs is privately owned, and not a public venue that typically hosts public events. As such, the owners require all participants to complete a waiver in order to participate. You will sign this waiver during open race registration, but a copy can be accessed below as well. If you have any questions please email the Meet Director Will Murdoch at will@charmcityrun.com.