Membership Levels
Description
The Golden Bear Run Club (GBRC) fosters a love of distance running in Upper Arlington youth through cross country and track and field. We aim to help each runner achieve personal records (PRs) and reach their full potential while emphasizing positive team dynamics and outstanding sportsmanship. Practices are tailored to prepare runners for peak performance at the season's final meet and/or set them up for success in the upcoming season at Hastings and Jones Middle Schools, working closely with their coaching staff. GBRC also facilitates club team registration for state-level cross country and track meets. Typical practices involve 2.5 to 5 miles of running, incorporating fun and engaging activities. We prioritize a small team size and local races to minimize travel demands, allowing athletes to balance running with other sports like soccer or lacrosse.
GBRC welcomes runners entering 4th, 5th, or 6th grade in Upper Arlington, as well as those participating in the Hastings or Jones Middle School cross country teams (during the summer). Prior experience with GBRC or another running club, or a recommendation from a coach or GBRC family, is required. GBRC is a USA Track & Field certified club (#17-8928) and a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please note that GBRC is not affiliated with the City of Upper Arlington Parks & Recreation Department or Upper Arlington Schools. Fees are structured on an expense-only basis, reflecting our volunteer coaching model and adherence to local regulations.
All scheduling and notifications are through TeamSnap. We don't have an active website or social media.
Coaches
Coach Justin
Coach Justin founded the Golden Bear Run Club in 2022 to provide an opportunity for young runners who aren't yet eligible for school-sponsored cross country and track programs. A lifelong runner since middle school, Coach Justin brings extensive experience to the club. He previously coached the Columbus Running Company's UA Grasshoppers from 2017-2022 and is a USATF-certified coach (#1920662572) and NFHS Level 1 certified-coach. His running background includes pacing the trails in the Cleveland Metroparks in middle and high school, and earning all-conference honors while running for Otterbein University. He continues to compete in local marathons and half-marathons, typically training in the early hours of the morning. Coach Justin and his wife, Chantil, live in Upper Arlington and have two children: a runner at Hastings Middle School and a runner/soccer player at Windermere Elementary. Passionate about supporting cancer research, they founded the Steps for Sarcoma 5k run/walk, which has raised over $2 million for sarcoma research at The OSUCCC - James over the past 14 years.
Advisor Jacob
Advisor Jacob is a USATF Level 1 certified coach with a Cross Country Specialist certification. A former cross country and track standout for Olentangy High School and Florida State University, he currently teaches STEM at the high school level and is pursuing an Exercise Physiologist certification from the American College of Sports Medicine. He resides in Upper Arlington and has a mid-distance runner at UAHS.
Advisor Darrell
Advisor Darrell provides valuable guidance on youth training and helps facilitate the transition for runners from elementary to middle and high school. Recently appointed the UAHS distance track coach, Darrell is a lifelong runner and multi-time State Champion in cross country and track at Westland High School. A two-time All-American at Indiana University, he narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympic Trials in the 1500m and trained with distance running legend Bob Kennedy. He resides in Upper Arlington and has runners currently competing at The Ohio State University and Upper Arlington High School.
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Location
Upper Arlington, OH 43220 US
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