Long distance running is technically any run 3000m or longer. On the track, that would be 3000m, 5000m, 10,000m, and anything longer such as 6-hr, 12hr, 24hour, 100mile, and various others run.

Off the track, most people 5k (3.1 miles) or longer as a long-distance run. (This is not to be confused with the long run of distance runners.)

The USATF South Carolina Association hosts several LDR (Long Distance Running) Championships throughout the year. Competitors are not required to be a USAT member to register for and compete in these events. However, to set a USATF South Carolina state record, the competitor must be a current USATF South Carolina Association member. In order to set a USATF national record, the competitor must be a current USATF member (of any USATF Association). Of course, in order for any record to be set the course must be certified and it must be a USATF-sanction event.

Additionally, competitors must be a USATF member in the South Carolina Association in order to earn a USATF medal and win a USATF award. Awards for several LDR events are often cash awards for USATF South Carolina members.

So, how does the whole awards thing work? Awards are given to the top 3 finishers in the Masters Men and Masters Women categories, as well as the top 3 Open Men and Open Women finishers.