German Cross Country Championships

rdf:langString German Cross Country Championships

rdf:langString #BEF781

rdf:langString March

rdf:langString Various, Germany

rdf:langString The German Cross Country Championships (German: Deutsche Cross-Meisterschaften) is an annual cross country running competition that serves as Germany's national championship for the sport. It is usually held in March. It was first held in 1891 and featured a men's long course race only. The competition had a break during 1914 and 1918 due to World War I and it ceased to be held after 1937 as a result of World War II. Following the occupation and division of Germany, the two German states set up separate national cross country championships. The Western side of the country restarted the championship in 1947 and this formally became the upon the nation's creation in 1949. A women's race was introduced in 1954 and the programme expanded further with a men's short course race in 1961 and a women's long course race in 1970. The started in 1950 and ahead of its Western counterpart in that it was responsible for the first women's championship in 1951. Men's short course was added in 1956 and a women's long course race was held in 1986. For both nations, the first women's races were short distance races. After German reunification, the West Germany-based German Athletics Association took over the running of the competition and a single, annual German championships was once again held from 1991 onwards.