Membership Levels
Fall Cross Country (Need GBRC Jersey)
Includes practices on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Thompson Park. A weekend practice may be added.
Races are on: September 19 (Celtic Clash in Dublin), October 3 (Grasshopper Invite in Westerville), October 6 (Fancyburg Park), and October 25 (State Meet in Dublin).
An optional Nationals race is on November 21 in Cedarville, OH (teams and individuals must qualify).
You will receive an invitation to join our SportsYou team shortly after registration.
*Select this option if you need a Golden Bear Run Club jersey.
Races are on: September 19 (Celtic Clash in Dublin), October 3 (Grasshopper Invite in Westerville), October 6 (Fancyburg Park), and October 25 (State Meet in Dublin).
An optional Nationals race is on November 21 in Cedarville, OH (teams and individuals must qualify).
You will receive an invitation to join our SportsYou team shortly after registration.
*Select this option if you need a Golden Bear Run Club jersey.
Price:
from $115
August 12 - November 21 Membership:
$115.00
Fall Cross Country (DO NOT need a GBRC jersey
Includes practices on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Thompson Park. A weekend practice may be added.
Races are on: September 19 (Celtic Clash in Dublin), October 3 (Grasshopper Invite in Westerville), October 6 (Fancyburg Park), and October 25 (State Meet in Dublin).
An optional Nationals race is on November 21 in Cedarville, OH (teams and individuals must qualify).
You will receive an invitation to join our SportsYou team shortly after registration.
*Select this option if you DO NOT need a Golden Bear Run Club jersey.
Races are on: September 19 (Celtic Clash in Dublin), October 3 (Grasshopper Invite in Westerville), October 6 (Fancyburg Park), and October 25 (State Meet in Dublin).
An optional Nationals race is on November 21 in Cedarville, OH (teams and individuals must qualify).
You will receive an invitation to join our SportsYou team shortly after registration.
*Select this option if you DO NOT need a Golden Bear Run Club jersey.
Price:
from $85
August 12 - November 21 Membership:
$85.00
Run Bears
Golden Bear Run Club (GBRC) was established in 2022 to develop homegrown youth distance running talent in Upper Arlington, Ohio.
Our Mission & Values
- Have fun, stay healthy, and be outstanding teammates. We aim to be the premier local youth distance running program in the state and beyond.
- Growth & Dedication: We focus on helping athletes set personal records (PRs), build teamwork, push each other to improve, and commit to hard work.
- Balance: We prioritize small team sizes and select local races to minimize travel and costs. [The team will decide whether or not to compete at Cross Country Nationals each year, as the date and location vary.] Our schedule allows athletes to balance running with other sports like soccer, field hockey, or lacrosse.
Program Details & Structure
- Practices: At least two scheduled evening practices per week, plus independent runs between sessions.
- Eligible Athletes: Open to Upper Arlington students entering grades 4–6, as well as Hastings and Jones Middle School runners (summer season only).
- Prerequisites: Prior running club experience or a recommendation from a GBRC member is required. For the safety of all runners and coaches, athletes must be able to run 1.5 to 2 miles continuously on the first day of practice. We are a competitive team and will be doing age-appropriate cross country and track workouts. Please do not sign your child up if they cannot meet this minimum requirement- we do not want them to get hurt, lost, or fall behind.
Organization & Logistics
- GBRC is a USA Track & Field certified club and a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We are independent and not sponsored by the City of Upper Arlington or Upper Arlington City Schools. Thanks to our volunteer coaching model, fees are strictly structured on an expense-only basis. All team scheduling and communication are managed via SportsYou. To keep our full focus on the athletes, we do not maintain a website or active social media.
Pipeline Created
- At least 60 former GBRC members are currently running cross country and track between Upper Arlington High School and our two middle schools.
- GBRC coaches and advisors now help lead the UAHS boys cross country team and the UAHS distance squad during indoor and outdoor track seasons.
- GBRC runners have secured top finishes at State and National Youth Cross Country Championships each year.
Coaches/Advisors
Coach Justin
- Founded the Golden Bear Run Club in 2022 to keep youth talent close to home.
- Upper Arlington High School:
-Assistant Boys and Girls Track Coach (Distance), 2025 to Present
-Assistant Boys Cross Country Coach, 2026 to Present - Previously coached the Columbus Grasshoppers Upper Arlington team, 2019-22
- Lifelong runner since middle school, from Northeast Ohio
- Standout runner from North Royalton HS in northeast Ohio, All-Conference runner for Otterbein University- ran cross country and the 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase in track
- USATF-certified coach (#1920662572) and NFHS Level 2 certified coach with a specialty in Cross Country.
- Continues to compete in local marathons, half-marathons, and 5ks.
- Passionate about supporting cancer research, his family 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.
- Has a son running cross country and track for UAHS (along with 15+ GBRC alumni), and a daughter who runs for UA Hastings MS.
Coach Anne
- Bio coming soon!
Advisor Darrell
- Head Assistant Boys and Girls Track Coach (Distance) for Upper Arlington High School (2024 to Present)
- Two-time All-American at Indiana University, multi-time State Champion from Westland High School in Columbus (cross country, 800m, 1600m), and competed internationally.
- Inducted into OHSAA Hall of Fame as one of the top High School runners in State history
- Oldest son, who holds the UAHS 1600m school record, ran for Miami University and The Ohio State University. Youngest son is a recent UAHS graduate and ran xc and track for GBRC coaches.
Advisor and (Fill-In Coach) Jacob
- Assistant Mens and Womens Track Coach (Distance) for Ohio Dominican University (2026)
- Assistant Boys and Girls Track Coach (Distance) for Upper Arlington High School (2024-25), Volunteer Boys Cross Country Coach for UAHS (2026).
- Standout cross country and track runner from Olentangy HS in Powell and competed in track and field at Florida State University
- USATF Level 1 certified coach with a Cross Country Specialist certification
- Pursuing an Exercise Physiologist certification from the American College of Sports Medicine
- Has a son running track and field for UAHS, a daughter playing soccer and running track for UAHS, and another daughter playing soccer and basketball all over the State.
Advisor Christina
- Bio coming soon!
Contact Form
If you have any questions about this club, click the button below.
Location
Thompson Park
4250 Woodbridge Road
Upper Arlington, OH 43220 US
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