🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Welcome to Catholic United Cross Country! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Run Fast • Build Confidence • Make Friends • Have Fun!

🟢 WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

✅ Boys and girls in 5th through 8th grade

✅ Open to all skill and experience levels – whether you are a first-time runner or an experienced competitor!

✅ Athletes must:

  • Attend a GRACEAC member school or organization, OR
  • Be a member of a Catholic parish

🏃 Through a variety of training sessions, runners will improve their:

  • Endurance
  • Strength
  • Speed
  • Running technique
  • Racing strategy

🤝 Most importantly, athletes will build friendships, gain confidence, and have a lot of fun!

🔵 TEAM INFORMATION

The Catholic United Cross Country team is made up of Catholic and Christian parish schools that are members of the Grand Rapids Area Catholic Elementary Athletic Council (GRACEAC).

📋 All athletes and coaches must be listed in TeamSnap, which serves as the official team roster.

⚠️ Roster changes may not be made without approval from the GRACEAC Commissioner.

📖 All other GRACEAC Handbook rules and regulations apply.

🟡 PRACTICE INFORMATION

📅 Practices may begin during the Monday after the 1st Tuesday of August

Practice Locations

Locations may vary, but our primary sites are:

🌳 Millennium Park
🌳 Richmond Park

🏃 WHAT TO EXPECT AT PRACTICE

Each practice includes:

✅ Warm-up exercises

🏃‍♂️ A variety of workouts, including:

  • Long runs (3–4 miles)
  • Speed drills
  • Hill training
  • Fartleks (speed variations)
  • Interval workouts

🎉 One practice each week is always a fun run at a relaxed pace!

📅 Key Dates

  • Registration: May 15 - June 15
  • Practices Begin: Monday following the 1st Tuesday of August
  • Regular Season: Meets typically start after Labor Day

🤝 PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Parents are not required to stay during practices.

However:

🙌 Parent help and participation are always appreciated!

With team sizes often ranging from 24–36 athletes, extra assistance helps practices run smoothly and safely.

📱 COMMUNICATION

All team communication will be handled through TeamSnap.

This includes:

✅ Practice schedules
✅ Meet information
✅ Updates and alerts
✅ Weather cancellations
✅ Volunteer assignments
✅ Food and drink assignments

📲 All parents are strongly encouraged to download and regularly use the TeamSnap mobile app.

🔴 MEET INFORMATION

🏁 Meets are typically held on Saturdays

📅 Season runs from:

After Labor Day ➜ Mid October

🏃 Teams generally participate in:

7–8 meets each season

📍 MEET DETAILS

Information for each meet will be posted in TeamSnap, including:

📅 Meet date
📍 Location
⏰ Arrival time
🏁 Race times
🥇 Varsity & Junior Varsity assignments
🙋 Volunteer assignments
🥤 Food and drink responsibilities

⚠️ Any updates, changes, or cancellations will also be communicated through TeamSnap.

⭐ SEASON AT A GLANCE

🏃 Grades: 5th–8th Boys & Girls
📅 Season: Mid-August through October
🗓️ Practices: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
🌳 Primary Locations: Millennium Park & Richmond Park
🏁 Meets: Saturdays
📲 Communication: TeamSnap Only

🟢 Join Catholic United Cross Country! 🟢

Whether you're chasing a personal record or simply looking to try something new, Catholic United Cross Country is a place where athletes of all abilities can grow, compete, and have fun together!

🟢 Catholic United Mission

The program focuses on:

  • Building strong student-athletes
  • Teaching fundamentals and technique of the game
  • Promoting teamwork, dignity, and respect
  • Preparing athletes for high school athletics
  • Creating a positive Catholic community experience

🏈 Play hard. Grow together. Compete with purpose.