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This is a list of the NCAA outdoor champions in the 10,000 meters and its imperial equivalent 6 mile run. The imperial distance was contested until 1975, except for during Olympic years since 1932. Metrication occurred in 1976, so all subsequent championships were at the metric distance. Hand timing was used until 1973, while starting in 1974 fully automatic timing was used. The women's race started in 1982.