In recent years there has been ongoing discussion regarding a potential change in distance for KSHSAA high school girls cross country.  Surveys of coaches and athletic directors have reflected increasing support to increase the girls’ race distance from 4K to 5K in KSHSAA postseason competition.  During the October 2014 KSHSAA Regional Administrator meetings, this was a topic of conversation in part, due to a letter from the U.S. Office of Civil Rights notifying KSHSAA of a complaint OCR received. 

As the 2014-15 school year progressed, the discussion continued and the KSHSAA received notice of increasing support from athletic directors and cross country coaches, to increase the girls distance from 4K to 5K for postseason competition.  Given these considerations, at its’ June meeting, the KSHSAA Executive Board voted to increase the distance for regional and state meet girls races to 5K,  effective with the 2015 season. 

KSHSAA member schools and leagues may establish the distance they choose when conducting senior high girls invitational or league competition, including sub-varsity races for girls.   This change for high school girls competition does not change junior high girls cross country.  

Beginning with the 2015 season all KSHSAA regional and state girls meets will run the 5K distance in both girls and boys competition.