N.A.I.A. National Champions
Women's Outdoor 5000-Meter Run
| Year | Name | School | Performance |
| 2011 | Lauren Jamison | Azusa Pacific (CA) | 16:49.97 |
| 2010 | Justyna Mudy | Shorter (GA) | 17:19.18 |
| 2009 | Jackie Kipwambok | Azusa Pacific (CA) | 16:51.32 |
| 2008 | Alissa McKaig | Indiana Tech | 16:39.04 |
| 2007 | Natalie Peterson | Concordia (CA) | 17:24.33 |
| 2006 | Betty Rotich | Missouri Baptist | 16:48.07 |
| 2005 | Miriam Kaumba | Oklahoma Baptist | 16:44.19 |
| 2004 | Miriam Kaumba | Oklahoma Baptist | 17:18.58 |
| 2003 | Evelina Slatinska | Central Methodist (MO) | 17:40.17 |
| 2002 | Genevieve Graff-Ermeling | Concordia (CA) | 17:11.24 |
| 2001 | Mary Livengood | Doane (NE) | 17:15.33 |
| 2000 | Sarah Korir | McKendree (IL) | 17:13.77 |
| 1999 | Sarah Korir | McKendree (IL) | 16:59.63 |
| 1998 | Cari Rampersand | Simon Fraser (BC) | 17:18.83 |
| 1997 | Sarah Korir | McKendree (IL) | 17:01.89 |
| 1996 | Tumaini Urio | Life (GA) | 17:13.52 |
| 1995 | Rose Ibarra | Wayland Baptist (TX) | 16:55.93 |
| 1994 | Rose Ibarra | Wayland Baptist (TX) | 17:14.80 |
| 1993 | Tigist Moreda | Wayland Baptist (TX) | 16:52.44 |
| 1992 | Amy Giblin | Adams State (CO) | 16:44.48 |
| 1991 | Melissa Johnson | Adams State (CO) | 17:02.86 |
| 1990 | Paula Stokman | Wisconsin-Parkside | 17:29.77 |
| 1989 | Yvonne Hollman | Midland Lutheran (NE) | 17:18.26 |
| 1988 | Doris Watson | Adams State (CO) | 16:47.38 |
| 1987 | Lorie Moreno | Western State (CO) | 17:01.2 |
| 1986 | Erin Gillespie | Hillsdale (MI) | 16:56.64 |
| 1985 | Denise Falzone | Adams State (CO) | 16:49.36 |
| 1984 | Julie Willoughby | Moorhead State (MN) | 17:13.8 |
| 1983 | Linda Marquardt | Wisconsin-Milwaukee | 16:53.49 |
| 1982 | Mary Jaqua | Adams State (CO) | 16:56.97 |
| 1981 | Wendy Burman | Wisconsin-Parkside | 17:03.77 |
