Get ready for a girl’s night out of fun and fitness! The Next Step FIT Program is an all-female, adult running program designed to help you achieve your running goals. Whether you have never run before or you want to set a new personal record for the 5k distance, this program is for you. We have groups for all speeds from walkers to fast runners.

Starting Thursday, April 19th, the Next Step FIT coaches will provide a structured program to guide you through the basics of running technique as well as building your stamina to complete our goal race, the Women’s Distance Festival 5k in July. Please click on the link for Females in Training for more information.

Co-Coordinators: Dave Weber and Michael Mbugi

Are you ready to shake off the winter blahs and get your legs moving? Then join the coaches who are helping veterans and rookies get ready for the spring races.

Time to lace up your shoes and get ready to start training for The Next Step! The Next Step 10K/10M programs will start the last week of March 2012. The Next Step 10K/10M PR program is structured for those looking for a focused and intense program to PR at the Baltimore Ten Miler or Dawson’s Fathers’ Day 10K in mid-June.

If you are newer to the 10K or 10M distance, have no fear! Also offered is the no-less-focused but slightly less intense Next Step 10K/10M Builder program designed to get you through your first 10K or 10 Miler successfully and looking forward to more. An experienced cadre of coaches will guide you through the programs with weekly group workouts, weekly coach feedback, and a no nonsense training schedule designed to have you in peak condition come race day!

Are you ready to take that Next Step and become a half marathoner or maybe even a full marathoner?? Or maybe you want to improve or hit that new PR in one of these distances! If so, the Next Step Half Marathon/Marathon program is for you! The Next Step Half Marathon/ Marathon program is a 14-week structured program aimed at getting the results you need to achieve your goal. Participants typically target a full or half marathon in the fall. Our group of experienced, enthusiastic coaches will guide you and encourage you along the way.

Registration will open soon; do not delay as this very popular program is sure to fill up quickly! Be sure to click on the program link for more information!

In the spring, from around March through June, the Junior Striders put on a track program consisting of multiple practices a week and the opportunity to compete in meets against other junior runners on weekends.

Both sprinting and distance events are covered (sorry, no field events).

The annual G.I.R.L. Program is organized entirely by volunteers of the Howard County Striders who want to share their love of running and fitness with you.

Their goal is to inspire women to enjoy a lifelong program of fitness.

A program is for the more serious and competitive runners, 9 to 18 years old.

Through a series of progressional events consisting of Local, Association and Regional meets, athletes will have the opportunity to advance to the USATF National Meet.

In the fall, from around Labor Day through late November, the Junior Striders cross-country team holds their season. The program is for runners ages 6 to 14.

The runners will have an opportunity to participate in twice a week practice sessions, as well as compete against other junior runners at weekend meets.

Running from June through August, a resource designed for high school and college runners pursuing excellence in cross country.

The program simply encourages runners to run over the summer and build a solid base so they will be prepared for what their coaches have planned for them when the season begins in mid-August.

The Weekly Series races are conducted at various locations, mostly elementary and middle schools, around Howard County.

Separate races ranging in distance from 2 miles to 15 kilometers are scheduled for most weeks throughout the year and the series culminates in the distribution of series awards

A monthly workout forum, Coach strives to provide accessible workouts for a range of runners, who differ in age, ability, competitive desire, racing goals, racing distances, and mileage levels.

The Feet First/Striders racing team is a joint venture between Feet First Sports and the Howard County Striders.

Founded in the summer of 2006, the purpose of the racing team is to provide an avenue to assemble and recognize highly talented and competitive members of the Howard County Striders.

Every Saturday morning at 7:00am, a group of Howard County Striders and friends get together in the parking lot in front of the indoor Swim Center in Wilde Lake for informal distance runs.

Runners of all skills and abilities come out,and group themselves based on pace, and then go out for runs ranging from 7-20 miles.

All levels of runners are invited to join: fast, moderately fast, pacers, walkers and run walkers.

We will start with 2 mile runs and progress to 3.6 miles

Come out and meet new friends and see your current running buddies!