The 2009 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men's and Women's Cross Country National Championships will be held Nov. 21 in Vancouver, Washington. The event will take place at the Fort Vancouver Historical Site and hosted by the Cascade Collegiate Conference and Concordia (Ore.) University. This marks the first year for the event in Vancouver -- Kenosha, Wis., was the site for the Championships the previous two years.

Two runners will represent Grand Viewat the championships. Sophomore Obsie Birru (Des Moines, Iowa) will compete in the women's race and senior Bichok Deng (Des Moines, Iowa) in the men's race Both qualified for the NAIA National Championships via the MCC Championships in which Birru won and Deng placed third. It is Birru's second trip to nationals; she placed 18th in 2008.

Thirty-two women's teams, including 23 conference/independent/unaffiliated champions, two conference runners-up, six at-large bids, one host berth and 117 individual qualifiers, will run in the 5K race.

The men's 8K race will also welcome 32 teams, including 22 conference/independent/unaffiliated champions, eight at-large bids, one conference runner-up, one host berth and 102 individual qualifiers.

The Cross Country National Championships are free and open to the public. The men's race begins at 10:30 a.m. PST, and the women's race starts at approximately 11:45 a.m. PST. Fort Vancouver Historical Site, located near Portland, Ore., is a unique, historic and challenging competition venue that boasts a successful record for hosting world class cross country championship events, including USA Men's and Women's Cross Country National Championships and World Cross Country Trials.

Fans attending the National Championships are encouraged to park in designated areas along Fifth Street (south side of the park) or at Hudson's Bay High School, which is located within walking distance of Fort Vancouver Historical Site.