Junior Striders Fall XC 2021

Register here!

Dates

Practices every Monday and Wednesday 5:30-6:30pm starting September 8 and ending November 3. Meets are held periodically on Sundays.

Location

All practices will be held at Burleigh Manor Middle School & Centennial High School. Meets are typically held in Frederick County with the exception of the home meet at Centennial

Cost

Early registration is $150.

Description

Please talk with your child about this first. This program is for runners (it is not a walking program) in Kindergarten through 8th Grade. Beginners and experienced runners are welcome but please make sure they want to run! The kids will be placed in age and ability appropriate practices groups but they run around the athletic fields at Centennial High and need to be able to keep up with their group so to be fair to everyone before you sign your young athlete up make sure they can run this far without stopping before practice starts: 1 lap around a high school track for those in 1st and 2nd grade, 2 laps for 3rd and 4th graders, 3 laps for 5th and 6th graders and 4 laps for the 7th and 8th graders. Be aware the kids can be moved to other practice groups during the course of the program and are not always placed in practice groups with their friends.

Kids need to be in athletic attire that is weather appropriate when at practice, must bring water in a bottle with them to each practice and must be able to be in a group setting, follow directions and stay with their practice group. We are not approved to and do not have qualified personnel to manage kids with special needs.

Running shoes to train in (not racing spikes) are strongly suggested; you will always receive a 10% discount if you buy them at Feet First and tell them you are on the Bullseye Junior Striders team. We will have a special night or two right at the start of the season at the store to pick up the jacket and/or uniform with an extra 5% discount those nights. Racing spikes are also encouraged for the experienced kids that plan to race consisently, especially the middle school age runners.

The runners will have an opportunity to DO ALL OF THESE:

  • (required) purchase a Bullseye Running/HoCo Junior Striders singlet/uniform for $15 if you did not get one from being a member of the 2021 Spring Track Team program,
  • receive a Bullseye Running jacket (free),
  • participate in weekly group practice sessions with knowledgeable and experienced coaches,
  • compete in meets with other youth runners of the same age
  • join the post season program that will compete at the AAU or USATF Junior Olympics in December
  • they will become a member of the Howard County Striders if they aren’t already

Practices will be held twice weekly, each MONDAY and WEDNESDAY starting September 8 and ending November 3, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at Burleigh Manor Middle and Centennial High School, practices are not required but are encouraged of course so kids can progress and improve. Practices will typically include a warm up, stretching, drills, and a workout in practice groups based on various things like age, ability, health and experience.

The team will compete at several events during the season and runners are encouraged to be a part of the team and test their speed and stamina at these meets but most importantly enjoy the team atmosphere on race day. Most of the meets are in Frederick County on Sunday afternoons starting in September. We typically have a home meet at our practice site – Centennial High – so PLEASE plan to have your kids run and we will need parent volunteers that day for sure.

Race distances are based on the runners age as of 12/31/21; not their age the day of the race. Runners 6 and under run a 1k (.62 miles), 7-8 year olds run a 2k (1.25 miles), 9-12 year olds run 3k (1.87 miles), 13-15 year olds run a 4k (2.5 miles). Races are typically on grass and dirt path trails at parks or on school grounds.

Emails and web site updates will keep you apprised of everything – http://bullseyerunning.com/youth. Contact Coach Lang with any questions – coachlang@hotmail.com – and PLEASE READ the emails from that email address!