Cross of the Nation race: rules of participation, route and registration

Russia will once again host the country's largest sporting event, bringing together thousands of people of all ages and professional backgrounds — the Cross Nation race. More than 500,000 participants are expected this year. The information about when the event will take place and how to take part in it can be found in the Izvestia article.

What is a "Cross Nation"?

The Cross of the Nation is an annual sporting event that brings together running enthusiasts of all ages and fitness levels. The initiative was launched in Russia in 2013 and quickly gained popularity, and then turned into one of the largest mass races in the country.

The main goal is to attract as many people as possible to a healthy lifestyle and sports. In 2025, the race will be held for the thirteenth time, confirming the status of a center for sports activity and community unity through physical culture.

In addition to the races, the "Cross of the Nation-2025" includes cultural and educational programs. Sports workshops, lectures on a healthy lifestyle, exhibitions of sports equipment and nutrition are held at the venues. Additionally, tournaments on sports games and exhibitions of achievements of domestic sports are organized.

The organizers are the Ministry of Sports of Russia and the All-Russian Athletics Federation. Experts support the race as a means of reducing the level of diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle, as well as to foster patriotism and social cohesion. According to official data, more than one million people participate in the "Cross of the Nation" every year, which makes it a large-scale event in the field of mass sports in the country.

Where will the "Cross of the Nation" take place

The All-Russian running day "Cross of the Nation" will be held on September 20 at distances from 1 to 12 km and is timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The distance is selected depending on the age of the participants. And the winners will receive special awards from the Russian Ministry of Sports.

In 2025, the campaign will cover all regions of Russia. The central event will be the All-Russian launch, which will be hosted by Moscow: the main venues are planned in Luzhniki and at VDNKh. More than 100,000 people are expected to participate in the capital.

In large cities, routes will be laid in iconic locations. In St. Petersburg, races at a distance of 5.5 km will be held in the nature reserve "Lake Shchuchye" in the Resort area. In Krasnoyarsk, competitions will be held in Tatyshev Park at distances of 2 and 10 km. In the Moscow region, the main venue is the Energia Stadium in Shatura, where they will start at 1, 4, 6, 8 and 12 km.

In the Lipetsk region, races are organized in all municipal districts with the participation of about 5,000 people. In the Omsk region, the central venue will be Kalachinsk, where races will be held at distances from 400 m to 12 km. In the Khabarovsk Territory, the races will take place along the central streets of Khabarovsk and at the Youth House in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. About 10,000 runners will start in Nizhny Novgorod and 13 other municipalities of the region. In the Kaluga region, competitions will be held on Kirova Street with races from 500 m to 6 km.

What you need to participate in the "Cross of the Nation"

Anyone can take part in the race. To do this, you just need to register on the campaign's website or at local sports and youth policy offices. Registration is free in most regions, and participants are given a starting number and a commemorative badge.

Registration is open to everyone without age restrictions, but there are separate categories and distances for children, youth, adults and sports veterans. To participate, you need an identity document, as well as a medical certificate of admission to physical activity (in some regions, a certificate is not required for amateurs).

No special training is required: you can go out on the course in your usual sports uniform and comfortable shoes. However, the organizers recommend assessing your strength in advance and choosing a route that matches your level of training.

How to prepare for the "Cross of the Nation"

For successful participation, athletes are advised to prepare in advance, including regular workouts, attention to nutrition and rest.

Training plans and recommendations from professional trainers are available on the official portal. Special attention should be paid to the equipment: comfortable sports shoes and clothes adapted to the weather conditions, this is the key to a comfortable race.