From early September through early November, the Johnston Running Club operates a youth cross country club for the aspiring and developing distance runner, ages 6 through 14. 

Practices

The cross country club practices:

• Sundays: 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Johnston High School XC course
• Tuesdays: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Johnston Public Library
• Thursdays: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Metro Ice Sledding Hill

Athletes run approximately two to four miles each practice, 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.

Quick Info

October 3 - Valley Youth Running Club - West Des Moines

October 10 - Johnston Running Club - Johnston

October 17 - Solar Powered Cross Country Club - Charles City

October 24 - ATC - DMACC Ankeny

October 31- USATF State Meet - West Des Moines

November 7- AAU District Meet - DMACC Ankeny

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

Interested in becoming a sponsor of Johnston Running Club?

Contact us at johnstonrunning@gmail.com