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Middle School Fall Running Club

We are excited to announce that the Hannah Beardsley Virtual Running Club will be joining our running club at the meets on Thursday, October 15 and Saturday, October 24th.
Registration is open for HB Virtual Running Club for the meets!


Meets are $25/event and you will need to register for each meet separately. Meets begin at 8:00am and runners will be in corrals of 10 or less to maintain social distancing. All runners will be required to wear a mask while in the corral and masks are allowed to be removed to head to the starting line. All meets will be chipped timed. Bib numbers will be given at registration/check-in on race day. There will be no additional cost to current club members for the addition of the third race to their schedule.


We also need volunteers so please ask friends and family to help out!


Our goal is to keep everyone safe while allowing racing to continue. Please email Coach Megan at coachmegsloan@gmail.com or Denise at denise.smith@smithptrun.com for questions. You can also call 815.893.9075 for more information.


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About the Smith Running Academy Middle School Fall Running Club:

We are so heartbroken that cross country for the middle school runner has been cancelled for 2020. We think cross country is one of the greatest sports because it fosters a great team atmosphere but also builds confidence in the young runner. And these runners, between 6-8th grade, are just starting to learn how to control their bodies and are finding that with hard work and dedication, they can run fast and far!

When we heard that most middle schools in McHenry County had opted out of participating in cross country this year, we decided to figure out a way to bring running to them. So we created the Smith Running Academy Fall Running Club. While we hope this is a one-time thing, we hope our club helps to educate runners of all the things that are important to being a GOOD runner. Running more miles or understanding the difference between a fartlick and a tempo run does not make one a skilled runner. Expanding an understanding of things like proper technique, the role of strength and flexibility training, how balance training can improve running form, and starting to learn about nutrition and mental performance are all part of creating a healthy love for running.

If this sounds like something your middle schooler would enjoy, join us for the Fall Running Camp. All practices will be at Smith Running Academy in Crystal Lake. The coaches are certified and experienced at working with young athletes. Coaches include experienced runners, running technique specialists, personal trainers/strength and conditioning specialists, nutritionists/dietitians, mental performance experts, yoga instructors, and other motivational speakers.

Practices will be Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 5:30-7:00 pm and will be structured to address key aspects of running, while maintaining social distancing requirements (with limited use of masks when running). The club begins Tuesday, September 8 and runs through Friday, October 23.

Meets will be held at Veterans Acres on October 3, and October 24. Start times may be spread out to accommodate social distancing requirements set by the state but this will be determined once we have a final count. Cross Country Meets are important to runners to develop race strategy, build a team atmosphere, and learn how to be competitive and friendly. All meets will be chipped timed to spread out the number of racers on the course to keep all participants and spectators safe.

The cost of the program is $150/runner. If your runner would be interested in the meets only, they are able to register and join for $25/race. Please note, you will have to register for each event separately.

We are looking for parents/siblings/community members who would be willing to volunteer during the races. These will include tasks such as racer check-in/registration, start and finish line assistant and coures marshalls. Must be at least 15 years old to volunteer.

Our goal is to keep the runners safe without limiting their access to this great sport. Please email Coach Megan at coachmegsloan@gmail.com. or Denise at denise.smith@smithptrun.com. You can also call 815.893.9075 for more information.

Registration fees

Middle School Meet #1 (Oct 2) Closed

This registration is for the MEET ONLY on October 3. Racers will be placed in corals to limit number of runners competing at the same time to manage current COVID restrictions designated by the State of Illinois. Race times will randomly be assigned. All racers will receive body markings and chip timers.

  1. $25.00
    Aug 30 - Oct 24

Middle School Meet #3 (Oct 24) Closed

This registration is for the MEET ONLY on October 24. Racers will be placed in corals to limit number of runners competing at the same time to manage current COVID restrictions designated by the State of Illinois. Race times will randomly be assigned. All racers will receive body markings and chip timers.

  1. $25.00
    Aug 30 - Oct 24

Middle School Meet #2 (Oct 15) Closed

This registration is for the MEET ONLY on October 15. Racers will be placed in corals to limit number of runners competing at the same time to manage current COVID restrictions designated by the State of Illinois. Race times will randomly be assigned. All racers will receive body markings and chip timers.

  1. $25.00
    Aug 30 - Oct 24

Contact information

Event contact
Megan Sloan/Denise Smith
Email
coachmegsloan@gmail.com
Phone
815.893.9075