Youth Running Club
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my child too young to join?
We focus on youth runners 3rd grade and up. We build the club to introduce the sport of running to our youth athletes. We hope over time many of our young athletes choose running as their favorite sport and continue running their entire life. Running, however, is not confined to a single playing field and coaches must evenly divide our time and attention among all the athletes. We require the parents of our younger athletes to run with their Strider rather than a drop-and-go
Can I run with my Strider?
Yes, we are a community-based running club. We are always looking for parent help and support during practices.
When is a good time to join?
There is no “wrong” season to start running! Each Chico Striders program begins by introducing athletes to the sport, building their aerobic foundation, and developing the strength and skills they need to become better runners.
Our programs are designed to build week by week, with each practice building on what came before it. With that in mind, we encourage athletes to join at the beginning of each program whenever possible.
Joining mid-season can be challenging, as athletes may be stepping into a training progression without the same foundation as the rest of the group. Starting at the beginning gives kids the best opportunity to learn, build confidence, connect with their teammates, and have a positive running experience.
If you’re interested in joining after a program has already started, reach out to us and we can help determine the best fit.
Can we meet the coaches and test out the club before paying the membership fee?
Yes! If you are interested in trying out the club, please send an email to Danny@chicostriders.com with your child's name, age, and experience level and we will put you in touch with the appropriate coach.
Where are practices held?
We use a web/mobile based platform, TeamSnap, to organize practice and race locations and times. Parents of all registered club members will be invited to our TeamSnap roster providing you access the most current information at all times. If you are new to the club, would like to check us out for the first time or simply can’t access your TeamSnap account you can e-mail us at Danny@chicostriders.com and a coach will respond as soon as we can.
My child plays another sport and can’t make all the practices or races, is that ok?
Yes, we love our multi-sport athletes. Many of our runners use the club as conditioning for soccer, baseball, swimming, wrestling, and many other sports. Whether your athlete just loves outdoor adventures or only loves running fast, they have a place on the team.
Do you offer sponsorships?
Yes! We believe finances should never be the reason a child misses the opportunity to discover their love for running. As a nonprofit organization, we work hard to make Chico Striders accessible to every family.
If financial assistance would help your child participate, please reach out to Danny@chicostriders.com.
