BEST NEW SPORTS VENUE IN THE NATION: THE COURSE SPOKANE VALLEY IS JUST GETTING STARTED

It’s been less than three months since The Course Spokane Valley welcomed its first runners. Now, it has a national award to its name. 

On October 28, The Course received the 2026 SportsTravel Award for Best New or Renovated Sports Venue at the TEAMS Conference & Expo in Birmingham, Alabama. The recognition comes just 74 days after the facility’s August 15 grand opening. 

And there’s plenty more to celebrate. The Course’s first season has already brought thousands of athletes to Spokane Valley, with several major championships still ahead.

BIG MEETS ARE FINDING A NEW HOME IN SPOKANE VALLEY

One of the clearest examples came September 25–26, when The Course hosted the Nike Bob Firman Invitational for the first time. 

The long-running competition had previously been held at Eagle Island State Park outside Boise, Idaho. But over time, it had outgrown its longtime home. Meet organizers needed a venue that could better accommodate the scale of the competition, from the number of runners to the logistics of bringing everyone together. 

They found that opportunity in Spokane Valley. 

For two days, more than 3,000 athletes took to The Course, from middle school runners to some of the region’s top varsity competitors. The high school field included 115 schools from 10 states and one Canadian province, with teams traveling from as far as Hawaii and Illinois.

The Invitational gave many visiting teams their first look at a facility built specifically for the sport. 

A COURSE BUILT FOR CROSS COUNTRY

Cross country competitions often take place at golf courses, parks, and other open spaces temporarily adapted for racing. The Course Spokane Valley offers something different. 

Located within Flora Park along the Spokane River, the 46-acre facility was designed to accommodate everything from local meets to regional and national championships.

Its wide starting area gives large fields of runners room to establish their positions before navigating the course. All-grass terrain provides a dedicated racing surface, while multiple viewing areas allow spectators to follow the action beyond the starting and finish lines. 

The flexible layouts also accommodate different race distances, making the venue suitable for a range of age groups and competition levels. 

It’s a design that’s already attracting major competitions to Spokane Valley.

THE BIGGEST RACES ARE STILL AHEAD

The Course has 14 competitions scheduled during its inaugural 2026 season, and the racing is far from finished. 

November brings three championship events to Spokane Valley:

• November 9: NWAC Cross Country Championships. 

Two-year college programs from across the Pacific Northwest compete for conference titles.

• November 14: NCAA Division III Regional Cross Country Championships. 

Collegiate runners race for the opportunity to advance to the national championships.

• November 20–21: Nike Cross Regionals Northwest. 

Top high school teams and individual runners from seven states compete for qualifying spots at Nike Cross Nationals.

And the schedule already extends beyond this season. The Course has been selected to host the 2027 NCAA Division I West Regional Cross Country Championships, bringing another major collegiate competition to Spokane Valley.

COMING TO THE COURSE? STAY IN SPOKANE VALLEY

Whether you’re traveling to compete or cheer someone on, Spokane Valley hotels keep you close to the competition. 

Several options sit along I-90, with amenities that come in handy on race weekends. Free parking makes traveling with team vans, family SUVs and gear-packed vehicles easier, while complimentary breakfast, spacious rooms and indoor pools give everyone a comfortable place to recharge between races.

You’ll also find a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and other essentials nearby. Whether you’re picking up last-minute supplies or getting the team together for dinner, you won’t have to go far.

With championship races still ahead this fall and more on the calendar for 2027, there’s plenty of opportunity to experience this award-winning venue for yourself.

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