Organized by USA Track and Field, the ten-day competition lasted from July 1 to July 10 and served as the national championships in track and field for the United States.

The results of the event determined qualification for the American Olympic team at the 2016 Summer Olympics, to be held in Rio de Janeiro.

The trials for the men's and women's marathon were held February 13 in Los Angeles and the trials for the men's 50 km race walk were held February 21 in Santee, California.

The trials for the 20 km race walk were held on June 30 in Salem, Oregon in front of the state capitol.

Only the Olympic qualifiers from that race were invited to appear at Hayward Field.