From early September through early November, the Johnston Running Club operates a youth cross country club for the aspiring and developing distance runner, ages 7 through 14. 

Practices

The cross country club practices: **2025 locations subject to change.**

• Sundays: 5:00 to 6:15 p.m.  Terra Park
• Tuesdays: 6:00 to 7:15 p.m.  Beaver Creek Elementary 
• Thursdays: 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. Metro Ice Sledding Hill

**Practice times will shift earlier (5:30-6:45) on Tuesday/Thursdays in early October due to diminishing daylight.

Athletes run approximately two to four miles each practice in shorter intervals, depending on age and stage of the season.  

Meets

The cross country club competes in local and regional meets on weekends. Athletes run varying distances depending on their age (age is determined as of age on 12/31 of current year):

• 8 & Under: 2000 meters (2k)
• 9 - 12: 3000 meters (3k)
• 13 - 14: 4000 meters (4k)
• 15 - 18: 5000 meters (5k)

For comparison, high school cross country runners compete  meet distances of 5000 meters (5k).

The season builds toward the USATF State Meet in early November, at which athletes can quality for nationals. If athletes choose to participate at nationals (Dec 13), practice schedule will be discussed with those families.

Quick Info

September 21 - Iowa Flyers - Ames

September 21- Hilltoppers - Birdsall Park Cedar Falls 

October 5 - Valley Youth Running Club - West Des Moines

October 12 - Solar Powered  - Rockford Fossil & Prairie Park

TBD - MVP Track Club - Saydel HS

TBD - AAU District Meet - DMACC Ankeny

October 18 - Waukee Track Club - RecPlex, WDM

October 25 - Johnston Running Club - Johnston

November 2 - USATF State Meet - West Des Moines

December 13 - USATF Junior Olympic National Meet - Shelbyville, IN

JRC Cross Country Meet Course maps

JRC hosts a country meet each year (since 2012), featuring separate races for each age group.

• 2013 - Johnston Middle School
• 2014 - Johnston Middle School 
• 2015 - Johnston Middle School
• 2016 - Johnston Middle School
• 2017 - Johnston Middle School
• 2018 - Walnut Ridge Recreation Area
• 2019 - Walnut Ridge Recreation Area