Frequently Asked Questions

How do I watch the event?

The entire event will be streamed for free on the New Balance YouTube page.

Can I use open times and relay times for a composite time?

No. If you are going to use a composite time, all marks must be open. We will only accept a 1200m split for the 1200m leg of the DMR because this distance is only run in a relay.

I want to enter a DMR relay team but none of the relay members have run it or run the 1200m. How can I enter?

You can use a composite time for your relay which may include a 300 or 500 meter open time (for the 400 leg), a 600 or 1000 meter open time (for the 800 leg), an 1000/1600/1 mile (for the 1200 leg), and a 1500/1600/1 mile open time (for the 1600 leg).

What does a composite outdoor 2025 time mean?

This means that you can use any four athletes’ open times from outdoor to achieve a qualifying standard. Those four athletes must be the ones competing at NBNI 2026!

Are there capacity limits on this meet? Could it sell out? 

To help us manage field sizes and ensure a great experience for everyone, meet management may close individual events, or the meet entirely, if entries reach a certain threshold. If you’ve hit a qualifying mark and plan to compete at NBNI, we encourage you to register early to secure your spot. Please note that entries are only confirmed once payment has been made. (While we expect this to primarily affect late entries, and anticipate that anyone registering before the early deadline will be accommodated, we cannot guarantee this.)

Can we qualify for the shuttle hurdles using composite times?

Yes. If you are using 55 meter hurdle times, simply add them up and if you are under the automatic standard, your team will qualify. If you are using 60 meter hurdle times, they will need to all be converted to 55 meters by using the Milesplit Calculator and then submit the composite.

If our team achieved the outdoor 2025 relay time, does that mean we are all set for indoors?

If the same four athletes that achieved the Outdoor 2025 standard are returning in the 2025-2026 Indoor season and will compete at NBNI 26’, then you may use their time.

If our team achieves a qualifying time using composites, but we need to substitute one of the athletes out, is that okay?

No. Relay teams using composite times are not allowed alternates. If you need to substitute an athlete, the new athlete must still contribute to a qualifying composite time for the relay. Relay teams that don’t use the final 4 qualified athletes (athletes registered in slots A1-A4) or run an athlete that isn’t registered, will risk disqualification for that event.

If our relay team achieves a relay qualifying standard in a relay race, can any four athletes run?

Yes! If your relay team runs an auto-qualifying relay time for a relay race at NBN, you can have any four athletes from your school run in this event as long as they are registered on the relay.

Do alternates receive backpacks?

No they do not. The four athletes listed in the registration under spots A1-A4, who you anticipate will run at NBNI 2026, will receive backpacks.

I achieved the 5K standard from a cross-country race this fall, will you accept it?

Because there is such a large discrepancy between cross-country courses around the country, our seeding committee will use our discretion to accept a 5K mark. Marks that were achieved on well-known historical cross-country courses will take priority.

My athletic.net profile has incorrect information (age, grade, name spelling, etc.) How can I update the information?

Athletic.net can take care of updating this information, check out this article for instructions.

Will I be allowed to use starting blocks for NBNI?

Yes! In all middle school, freshman, and championship events, starting blocks will be permitted in prelims, semi-finals, and finals.

How do awards work?

National Champions across championship individual and relay events will receive awards. All-American Awards will be awarded to the top 6 athletes in individual Championship events and top 6 teams in Championship relays. All athletes in the top 6 of the Championship, Freshman, and Middle School divisions will receive medals.

I am registered as unattached but now I want to register under a team/club and run with a relay, how do I do that?

Unfortunately once you are registered as unattached, you are no longer able to switch to a team/club and you’ll rick forfeiting your registration fee. We highly recommend that if you may run on a relay with a team, that your coach register your individual event and relay event under the team/clubs account.

Can I run in a relay with athletes from other high schools?

No. All relays must be made up of athletes from the same high school.

What do I do if my athlete improves their mark from their initial registration?

Coaches/Parents are responsible for updating their athlete’s seed times up until the end of late registration in order to place their athlete in the appropriate section. Once registration is closed we are not able to accommodate updated seed times.

Can I use a time or mark from November 2025 that was done on an outdoor track?

Yes, we will accept times and marks from November 2025 meets as long as it meets the indoor standard.

I am interested in covering the meet. Where do I apply for a media credential?

The Media Credential Request form will be available here early 2026.  Once you fill out the form someone from our team will reach out closer to the event.

What happens if an athlete has to leave for another event during a field competition?

For all field events except high jump and pole vault, a youth competitor may take their attempts out of order—either before leaving for another event or upon returning, as long as the flight (including finals) is still in progress.

For high jump and pole vault, an athlete may take their attempts out of order at a given height before leaving or upon returning, as long as the bar has not been raised. If an athlete misses an entire height, they will be considered to have passed that height.

Meet management will establish a reasonable time limit for an athlete to return and complete their attempts.

What happens if I lost an item during race weekend?

New Balance and the event management team is not responsible for any lost or stolen items, including your NBN backpack. Please do NOT leave any items unattended while you are at the meet. For assistance with recovering lost items, please contact the Track at New Balance team here

What is the transgender athlete policy? 

Eligibility rules for transgender athletes are in line with current USATF and World Athletics rules. For any USATF competition or events operated using USATF rules [which includes New Balance Nationals Indoor] as part of a USATF sanction and where age-group awards and/or prize money are at stake, an affected competitor(s) who has a valid reason to question the accuracy of the entry information of a prize- or award winning athlete may protest, either orally or in writing, against the prize- or award-winner with the referee during the respective meet, in accordance with the applicable rules for that event. If the matter cannot be immediately resolved, and all applicable appeals have been exhausted, the affected competitor may file a grievance within USATF, following the procedures described in Regulation 21 of the USATF Bylaws and Operating Regulations.