2024 Gate River Run – USATF 15K Championship
Jacksonville, FL
Saturday, March 2, 2024
The 2024 Gate River Run (GRR) will once again serve as the 2024 USATF 15K Championships and will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024. This marks the 30th year that the GRR, presented by JTC Running, has been selected to host the Championship. All athletes interested in competing in the Championship elite field must meet the eligibility requirements defined below and can apply by contacting the Elite Field Coordinator.
Elite Field Coordinator Contact Information:
Jim Van Cleave
Elite Coordinator
Gate River Run / USATF 15K National Championship
Email: jim@gate-riverrun.com
(904) 607-6946
USATF 15K Championship Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible for the USATF 15K Championship, elite runners must:
· Be a US-citizen
· Have a current 2024 USATF membership
· Meet the Championship qualifying time standard
Entry Qualifying Times for the USATF 15K Championship:
· Women: Sub 54:00 15K or equivalent
· Men: Sub 47:00 15K or equivalent
· Qualifying times must be achieved from January 2022 to March 2024
· The Elite Coordinator reserves the right to include other selected applications.
Elite Athlete Support Assistance:
Consideration for lodging and/or travel assistance will be based on additional 15K qualifying times or equivalents. All support assistance will be allocated at the discretion of the Elite Coordinator.
Elite Athlete Host Hotel:
Marriott Jacksonville Downtown
245 Water St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 355-6664
Transportation – Airport Transfers:
Airport transfers will be provided for all elite athletes from Jacksonville International Airport to the Marriott Jacksonville Downtown host hotel.
Elite Hospitality Room:
There will be an elite hospitality suite provided at the host hotel Thursday through Sunday morning for the Championship elite athletes.
Elite Athlete Check-In:
· The elite check-in will be held at the Marriott Jacksonville Downtown:
· Thursday, February 29 1:00pm – 6:00pm
· Friday, March 1 10:00am – 6:00pm
USATF Technical Meeting:
· Friday, March 1
· Time: 5:00p – 6:00p
· Zoom Meeting
15K Championship Race Start:
· Elite Women 7:55am
· Elite Men 8:00am
Race Day Elite Shuttle Service:
· Elite athlete shuttles to the race venue will be provided from the Marriott
· Departing shuttles will begin Saturday morning at 6:00am.
· Return shuttles begin at 9:30am and will run approximately every 20 minutes.
Championship Awards Ceremony:
· The award ceremonies will begin at 10:00am following the race
· The ceremony will be held on the stage at the fairgrounds.
· Top 10 awards will be distributed
· Top 10 prize money will be mailed after USADA provides clearance.
Awards / Prize Structure:
USATF Championship medals and USATF Running Circuit points will be awarded to the top 10 men’s and women’s finishers.
In order to be eligible for championships awards, prize money, or USARC points, athletes must be entered in advance in the USATF championships field and start with the appropriate championship start for their gender.
Winners in the USA 15K Championship will be determined by first across the finish.
Overall 15K National Championship Prize Money:
Top ten men and women as follows:
Place | Men | Women |
1st | $12,000 | $12,000 |
2nd | $5,000 | $5,000 |
3rd | $3,000 | $3,000 |
4th | $2,000 | $2,000 |
5th | $1,000 | $1,000 |
6th | $900 | $900 |
7th | $800 | $800 |
8th | $700 | $700 |
9th | $600 | $600 |
10th | $500 | $500 |
Total | $26,500 | $26,500 |
Bonuses:
Equalizer Bonus (First Male or Female):
The elite women will start 5 minutes ahead of the elite men. The first person (male or female) to cross the finish line will receive a $5,000 bonus.
15K Record Bonus | Men | Women | Bonus |
World Record | 41:05 | 44:20 | $10,000 |
American Record | 42:22 | 47:00 | $5,000 |
Course Record | 42.22 | 47:00 | $3,000 |
15K World Record:
· Men: Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda – 41:05 (2018)
· Women: Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia – 44:20 (2019)
American & Course Records:
· Men: Todd Williams – 42:22 (1995)
· Women: Shalane Flanagan – 47:00 (2014)
Post-Race Celebration / Party:
The Championship elite athletes are invited to attend a post-race celebration on Saturday evening March 2, beginning at 6:30pm.
· Food and beverages will be provided
· Bus transportation to the event for elite athletes will depart the Marriott at 6:00pm
Anti-Doping / Drug Testing:
The Gate River Run has a zero tolerance anti-doping policy, in accordance with policies of USATF and the IAAF. All competing athletes may be subject to drug testing conducted by USADA.
COVID-19 Protocols:
The health and safety of the runners and staff remain a top priority for JTC Running and the city of Jacksonville. The Gate River Run will follow any COVID-19 related guidelines in place at race time.