🏃‍♂️ The Lakeland Runners Club middle school development program is open to anyone in 5th through 8th grade regardless of school affiliation or ability level.

The program is ideal for athletes looking to prepare for cross country, cross-train for another sport, or begin running for the first time. Endurance makes every athlete better.  

💪🏼Our summer focus is not on competition but on demonstrating how running can be part of a lifelong healthy lifestyle.
🎯Our program is all about developing structure, self-confidence, and fitness. Through deliberate play, run-focused games, and adventures, we help kids get running. 

We believe that fitness and fun can be mixed together. The friends they make in this program will give them friends for life. We believe in creating a warm and welcoming environment.

☀️ Practices are 60 minutes long and often conducted in direct heat and sun, so please come prepared.
🥤 Athletes will need a water bottle and a positive attitude!

💲Registration is FREE but requires an account. Parents/guardians, you will need set up a Run SignUp account and add your child(ren) to register them. Adults are welcome to join workouts or do their own workouts alongside the group.

📱 Stay informed! Summer storms may cause interruptions. Enter your mobile number during registration for cancelation texts.

 The LRC Lightning Cross Country Team
🏆 Registration opens mid-July and a link will be provided to families attending practice regularly!
📅The team will compete in 3–4 meets at Lakeland's Holloway Park from August–October. Meets are on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings.

FAQs 🧐

🥵 What should your student wear/bring?

• Shorts, t-shirt, and running shoes.
• Bring a filled water bottle 🥤. No long sleeves or pants—it's hot!

📍 Where does the group meet?

• Bonnet Springs Park is the primary location.
• If the location changes, you'll get a text 📱 (enter your mobile number during registration).

🏃‍♂️ Is previous running experience required?

• No! All levels are welcome.
• This program is about improving fitness & trying new challenges.

⏰ When does practice start?

• Weekdays: 6 PM.
• Saturdays: 7 AM.
• Each practice lasts ~1 hour.

🗓️ How long is the program?

• 20 weeks: From June to October with weekly sessions.

✅ Is attendance mandatory?

• Participation is voluntary.
• To join the cross-country team, commit to at least 10 practices and attend two of three weekly sessions.

Practice Schedule

Cross Country meets will be added to the schedule once the host organization officially releases the dates. 

Participation with the LRC Lightning XC Team requires separate registration.

There is no fee to participate with the LRC XC Team, all entry fees are covered by the Lakeland Runners Club. 

Runners are encouraged to also run with their school program when one is available. The LRC Lightning is a cross country team open to all students in 5th to 8th grade. The program prepares runners to race middle school cross country 3k distance. Cross Country practice begins in August per the FSHAA guidelines.

The team participates in the Tuesday night middle school practice and has two additional practices each week, Thursday evening and Saturday morning. The location for these practices varies. The team runs 3 to 4 meets from August to October. These meets are held on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings.

To be eligible, runners must: 

• commit to attending 2 of 3 weekly practices
• attend 10 practices in the four weeks before their first meet

Membership with the Lakeland Runners Club as a student member is encouraged.  LRC members receive 20% off all LRC races, among other benefits.