Event Description
Gulf Coast Runners is pleased to announce the ADDITION OF A NEW SITE to our MIDDLE SCHOOL youth team for the 2026 Fall Cross Country Season. We will continue to offer Upper Elementary and Lower Elementary at Naples HS with our coaches.
We have training for every level! We have newcomers, as well as “all-stars”. A new session will begin August 17th and run through the second week in October at Aubrey Rogers High School track. Coach Joseph Bertuna will be conducting these practices from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. This team is an alternate location to our long time practices at Naples HS. WE PLAN TO TEAM TOGETHER TO HAVE THE BEST RUNNERS GROUP UP FOR LARGER MEETS (FL RUNNERS) AND STATES (Lakeland on 10/31) The focus is on increasing our running knowledge ("running I.Q.") through runs, skills, drills, fundamentals and fun!
Gulf Coast Runners is focused on provided adequate coaching at all levels, and is inclusive of all! These 15 sessions are focused on distance running and preparing for our races in September and October (participation in "club meets" is optional and requires travel. We will have 2/3 opportunities throughout the year) The cost includes a jersey/singlet to represent GCR proudly! Middle School races are 3 kilometers. More information is provided below.
Training Sessions (5:30 - 6:30pm at Aubrey Rogers HS. Meet at the track)
We meet MOST Monday's and Wednesday's that CCPS has school, except when ARHS is having their own event that prevents our ability to meet.
Please follow our social media outlets for updates/cancellations (even those "non social media users" can google Gulf Coast Runners Youth Team and see our posts!)
SCHEDULE
August: 17,19, 24, 31
September: 2, 9, 14, 16, 23, 28, 30
October: 5, 7, 14, 19, 21*, 26, 28 ~ Oct 26 and 28 (for State meet participants only) ~
* (last day unless going to the FL “state meet” in Lakeland!)
MEETS
Saturday, September 19th - Vineyards Park - GCR Youth XC Race
Friday, October 2nd - Holloway Park - "FL Runners Invitational"
- Both races feature both Middle school (3km) and Elementary (2km). Travel to and from races must be provided by parents/guardians.
Saturday, October 31st - State XC Meet at Lakeland (Holloway Park). WE WILL BE RUNNING OUR BEST FROM THE 2 TEAMS IN THE CLUB STATE RACE!
