Youth Running Club
Spring Track Season
Spring Track Season is a twelve week training program designed to introduce youth runners to the sport of Track and Field running, and provide competitive racing opportunities. ​The 2025 Track Season will kick off the week of March 3rd and run through May.
​​
​We focus on kids in grades 3rd - 8th.
​
Elementary School Aged Runners - Practice will be twice a week with additional race opportunities. Practices will be Monday nights at either Chico High School or Pleasant Valley High School's track facility, 6-7 PM, and Thursday nights 5:30-6:30 PM at one of our various parks. Coach Alandra, Kaitlin and Samantha will lead the elementary school group.
​​
​Middle School Aged Runners - Practices will be Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Tuesday practice will run 5:45 - 7 PM at either Chico High School or Pleasant Valley High School's track facility. Thursday practice will run 5:30-6:45 PM. Saturday practice will run from 8 - 9:30 AM. Thursday and Saturday practice locations will vary to explore our various parks. ​
​​
We focus on middle-distance events—the 400, 800, and 1600 meters—without pushing for early specialization. Our goal is to build a strong aerobic foundation in young athletes so that by the time they reach high school, they’ll have the skills and versatility to excel in any event they choose.​
​
Race Schedule - See Races for Additional Details
​
Sunday April 6th - Fleet Feet Chico, Downtown Mile
​
Friday April 12th - Chico State Twilight Invitational, Youth Mile
​
Friday April 19th - Butte College -Black & Gold Invite, Youth 800
​
Saturday, May 10th - Growing Healthy Children, 1 Mile or 5K
​
Saturday, May 17th - Chico Strider Fast Five
Events: 1600, 400, 100, 800 4x400 and Field Events​​​
​
Fall Cross Country Season
Fall Cross Country season is a 10 week training program designed to introduce youth runners to the sport of Cross Country running, and provide competitive racing opportunities based on USATF age groups. Cross Country season will kick off September 17th.
​
3rd - 5th Grade Practices
Practices will be every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00-6:00 PM. Practice locations will vary to explore our various parks. The team will be coached by Kaitlin Fishburn, Alandra Swangler and Samantha Watkins. The season will kick off September 17th and run through November 24th, 2024
​
6th - 8th Grade Practices
Practices will be every Tuesday and Saturday. Tuesdays will run from 5:45 - 7 PM. Saturday's will run from 7:30-9 AM. The program is designed to complement the existing middle school cross country season. The team will be coached by Danny DiMeo, Matt Garcia and Walker Doucette. The season will kick off September 17th, 2023 and run through November 24th, 2023
​
Race Schedule
​​
October 10th - Butte College Youth Cross Country Meet
​
October 13th, 2024 - NorCal Striders XC, Cottonwood, CA
​
October 19th, 2024 - Chico High Autumn Invite, Hooker Oak
​​​
November 3rd, Almond Bowl 5K, This is fundraiser for our High School XC Teams
​
November 24th, USA Track & Field Pacific Association XC Championships, ​TBD
We hope to get as many athletes to this event as we can! Its a well organized running event and fun team race.
​
December 1, 2024 - USA Track & Field Regional Cross Country Championships, Fresno, CA - Top 5 Teams and top 30 individuals from the Association meet the week prior advance to compete at this event. This event includes the top teams from USA Track and Field associations across all of California and Nevada.
​
Chico Jr Cross Country
Coach Danny and Meghan Coach Chico Jr.'s Cross Country program. If your child will be attending Chico Jr. and they are interested in joining the team visit: https://www.chicostriders.com/general-5 ​​
.jpeg)
Summer Fun Conditioning
​
Join the coaches for six weeks of summer fun runs kicking off July 22nd running to August 31st. We will explore new trails, run through creeks, and play plenty of games. Our goal is to build aerobic fitness through the hot summer months and provide a base for Cross Country Season. This season is aimed at our middle school athletes. Summer is a great time for your middle schooler to get their first introduction to the sport.
The Summer will conclude with the Beat The Coach Mile the first Saturday after school starts at Cedar Grove Picnic Area in Bidwell Park. This race is for kids and families of all ages. Check out our races tab.
​
We know many families vacation during the summer so this season is designed for Striders to join any time they are in town.
​
Practices will be Tuesdays 5:45-7 PM and Saturday Mornings 8 - 9:30 AM.