For 14 years the Boston Athletic Association and adidas have partnered in developing the Mayor’s Cup Cross Country races into a premier competition for the City of Boston. Regarded as one of the most competitive cross country events in the eastern United States, many top level clubs use the Mayor’s Cup to prepare for the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships. Colleges also have found that the event is good preparation for the championship portion of their season.

The Franklin Park 5k offers the same race course and cross country experience as the Women’s Championship 5k and the Men’s Championship 8k. The race seeks to give local runners, especially road racers, perhaps their single cross country racing opportunity of the year. Also, the Franklin Park 5k has been slotted within the schedule of events to allow participants to watch the championship competitions. Team scoring—as in the other races—will be featured in the Franklin Park 5k.

Girls and boys participate in the kids 1.1-mile races in preparation for either Junior Olympic cross country qualifying or—as in most cases—for the sheer fun of it.

Boston Centers for Youth & Families stages Mayor’s Cup events in more than a dozen sports and in each of Boston’s neighborhoods. The cross country championship traditionally culminates the schedule for the calendar year.