Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Web Site

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Map (PDF)

The 2010 NAIA Cross Country National Championships will be staged West of the Mississippi River for the first time when they are held at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver, Wash., a truly unique venue allowing  student-athletes to combine educational and athletic experiences in a national championship setting. Located just minutes from downtown Portland, Ore., the Fort is part of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve and the National Park Service. 

Established in 1825 by the British Hudson's Bay Company, Fort Vancouver served as the administrative center and principal supply depot for an extensive fur trading network throughout the Pacific Northwest.

As the official brochure of Fort Vancouver states: “Fort Vancouver is the heart of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. The Reserve brings together a national park, a premier archaeological site, the region's first military post, an international fur trade emporium, one of the oldest operating airfields, the first national historic site west of the Mississippi River, and a waterfront trail and environmental center on the banks of the Columbia River.”

The area north and west of the Parade Ground is home to Officers Row, which features "22 fully restored stately homes built for the army officers who served at Vancovuer Barracks." South of the Parade Ground is Pearson Field -- one of the oldest operating airfields in the United States -- and the Pearson Air Museum, America's second oldest wooden hangar (built in 1918) which details Pearson Air Field's rich aviation history, including historical aircraft. The Vancouver Barracks, an active military post for 150 years before closing in 2000, currently houses the Army Reserve Units and the Washington National Guard.

Fort Vancouver has a strong and successful history of hosting major, world-class cross country events, including the ’01, ‘02 and ‘05 USA Championships -- all under the direction of Harry Simonis, who will serve as the meet director of the 2009 and '10 NAIA Championships.

Course Layout
The Fort Vancouver course is a rolling, European-style layout consisting of 2 kilometer loops on grass. This moderately challenging course features sections of flat, uphill and downhill grades, providing the necessary variation that is to be expected in a national championship competition.

 

World-Class Cross Country Championship Events Hosted at Fort Vancouver
-- 2010 USA Men’s and Women’s National Masters Cross Country Championships
-- 2005 USA Men’s and Women’s National Championships/World Cross Country Trials
-- 2002 USA Men’s and Women’s National Championships/World Cross Country Trials
-- 2001 USA Men’s and Women’s National Championships/World Cross Country Trials