At this time registration for the Fall 2025 Cross Country Season is full. Please complete the waitlist form and you will be contacted directly if a spot becomes available.
Q: When and Where are practices held?
A: Practices are held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Fridays at the South Mill Pond Playground complex in Portsmouth, NH. All ages will start at 5:15 and practices run for 1 hour. On Sundays at 11am, we practice at the PHS track or trails.
Q: My child can't make all those practices! Should I still sign them up?
A: We offer 4 practices a week to provide flexibility. Kids are welcome to attend as many or as few practices as they like.
Q: When does the season start?
A: The pre-season practices start in mid-late August. These are introductory practices to ramp back up for those who have not been running all summer. It is a good time for new runners to come and learn our routine.
Q: Do the Cheetahs have a winter or spring track program?
A: We do not offer dedicated winter or spring track. Any Cheetah who wishes to run USATF track events may do so under our club, but we don't have any practices, so all runners train on their own (or with school programs). Runners who participate with us in fall will be kept in the loop for subsequent indoor and outdoor track events.
Run to Fall XC Invitational - Sunday, Sep 7
3k for all ages
Coe-Brown Northwood Academy Northwood, NH
9am start (arrive 1.25 hours early)
Wayland XC Festival - Sunday, Oct 12
3k for all ages
Wayland High School, 264 Old Connecticut Path, Wayland, MA
coed 10 and under, 9am start, girls 11-14, 9:30am start, boys 11-
14, 10am start (age on day of race) (arrive 1.25 hours early)
Boston Mayor's Cup - Sunday, Oct 26
1.1 mile race for all ages
Franklin Park, Boston, MA
ages 6-10, 11-12, and 13-14 boys and girls races
(age on day of race) (arrive 1.25 hours before race start)
USATF - New England Junior Olympic XC - Sunday, Nov 16
2k for ages 8 and under, 3k for ages 9-12, 4k for ages 13-14
Highland Park, Attleboro, MA
(arrive 1.25 hours before your race) (age as of 12/31/2025)
the top 30 individual finishers, and top 5 teams per race will
advance to the Region 1 championships
USATF - Region 1 Junior Olympic XC - Sunday, Nov 23 (qualification required)
same race format/distances as above (arrive 1.25 hours before your
race) (age as of 12/31/2025)
Highland Park, Attleboro, MA
the top 30 individual finishers, and top 5 teams per race will
advance to nationals
USATF - National Junior Olympic XC Championships - Saturday, Dec 13 (qualification required)
same race format distances as above (age as of 12/31/2025)
Blue River XC Course, Shelbyville, IN
We are a youth cross country running team for NH residents ages 6-14 in the seacoast NH area. We will compete in the USATF Cross Country Junior Olympics as well as tuneup meets. It is a challenging and competitive team. Practices are held in Portsmouth, NH.
Empowering young minds through the joy of running, our youth cross country team in the
seacoast area of New Hampshire is dedicated to fostering a culture of athleticism, resilience,
and teamwork among residents aged 6-14. Committed to excellence, we strive to provide a
challenging and competitive environment where our young athletes can develop both physically
and mentally.
Our mission extends beyond the local terrain as we aim to compete in prestigious events such
as the USATF Cross Country Junior Olympics and various tune-up meets, showcasing the talent
and determination of our team. Rooted in the vibrant community of Portsmouth, NH, our
practices serve as the foundation for cultivating a passion for running, instilling values of
discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
At the heart of our organization is a belief in the potential of every young runner. We aspire to
nurture a lifelong love for running, instill a sense of accomplishment, and empower our youth to
embrace challenges with confidence. Together, we run towards a future where our athletes not
only excel on the cross country course but also carry the lessons learned into every facet of
their lives.
The Cheetah Running Club was founded in 2017 as a way for youth runners to collaborate as a team to train and compete. We accept runners of all abilities and have seen great improvements over the years. Our number of runners qualifying for USATF-JO Regional and National Championships has grown each year. Each year since 2018, we have sent runners to USATF-JO nationals across the country!