General Information

1. CYO Cross Country is primarily geared for children in grades 2nd - 8th. Children younger than 2nd grade may participate only with the approval of the coaching staff and under parental supervision. 

2. Please send your athlete with water bottle and sweats.  Please mark all non-disposable water containers and all sweats/jackets with your athlete's name.  We attempt to return marked items to their owner (with a "snack for the team penalty" assessed!).  We donate all unmarked items.  After sweating during a hot run the fog usually surrounds us by the end of practice.  Kids chill quickly!

3. Please send your child to practice well hydrated and with a small snack after school.  Suggested: Water, high carb, low fat, I.e. crackers, bagel, bread, banana, pretzels, nuts, best to avoid dairy and citrus which can cause cramping and side aches. It is important for their safety and enjoyment.  Middle school lunch is very early and it can be 5+ hours between it and practice.  Hungry kids are not happy running kids!

4. On our first two practices we will have a brief parent introduction to the program and will answer questions.  Please plan to park and stay for one of these informational sessions.

5. On the first day we will have a "group finding mile race" to help us divide into our 5 ability-based training groups.  Runners can move up or down based on coach recommendations.  It is important for the safety and appropriate training of each runner that they are in the appropriate group.

6. Make sure your runner has comfortable running specific shoes and wears light breathable clothing to practice.  Many of our practices are quite hot!

7. We do not cancel practice for rain or heat.  It is up to your judgement as to whether a specific practice is appropriate for your athlete.  We have cancelled for extreme heat and/or hazardous air conditions. It is important to note again that if you are uncomfortable with the air quality or heat, at any level on any particular day, please don’t have your child attend practices. Their health and safety is of utmost importance to us as coaches and they will never be penalized for any missed practices. 

8. Air Quality. For purposes of consistency and accuracy, we will be using "PURPLE AIR". This website is updated every 10 minutes. Please access the webpage  (with LRAPA filter on) and view it every day before you attend practice. As you know, things can change by the hour. 

Air Quality Index, (AQI) data:

AQI 51-100 = SAFE

AQI 101-150 = Unhealthy Air Quality for sensitive groups such as younger children or those who have asthma, or any other condition that may affect an individual. Please, if I you have ANY concerns whatsoever, do not send your child to practice on these days. This is entirely your call as a parent and up to your discretion. 

AQI 150 or above: Unhealthy Air Quality, practices will be cancelled 

9.   Visit the diocese Cross Country webpage for results and race information:  https://oakdiocese.org/cyo-cross-country

10. Encourage your runner:  Running--especially in the first few weeks --is hard!  It takes courage and fortitude to participate.  Please encourage your runner and compliment them on their participation and effort.  Let them know it will get easier over time!