There will be no 2023 HRK Spring Running Club.
We need coaches. Please consider volunteering.

We will be working on sprints as well as distance to help all runners, no matter what level of experience, improve their speed and endurance. We will work with each runner to determine your running goals and help you get there, hopefully surpassing your own expectations of what you can accomplish.

Even if running is not your main sport, working in this area will help you improve in your other athletic pursuits as well as improve your overall health. 

We will be timing runners at several practices. This information is used so runners can compete against themselves and strive for faster times within their personal scope.

Who:
Running Club is open for runners age 9 through seniors in high school.

When:
We will meet two times per week for 6 weeks, April 18 - May 26

Mondays and Thursdays from 4:00 - 5:30pm.

Mondays will be at Nippersink Forest Preserve, Thursdays will be at Old School Forest Preserve.

Cost: $35 per runner

Parent Volunteers: HRK is run solely on volunteers, including its coaches. Volunteers are needed to walk the trail at every practice to help be extra eyes for the coaches if any kids need help. We will also need a parent or two to stay back at the shelter so no kids are left unsupervised. 

Weather: Be prepared to run in rain, heat, and cold. If a practice is canceled, you should be notified by 2:00 p.m.  
that day. Practice & other information will be communicated via the HRK website, so please make sure you signed up to receive email notifications when you register. Double-check that you have entered the correct email and cell  number when registering.

Runner Expectations:  

• All athletes are expected to give the coaches their full attention during practices. Athletes will show respect to coaches.
• No swearing. 
• Athletes must come dressed for the weather and ready for practices. Shirts must be kept on and if leggings/spandex are worn, shorts must be worn over them. 
• Encourage other runners and cheer them on. Treat everyone in the club with respect and kindness.
• We encourage co-ed friendships, but there will be no public displays of affection. 
• Personal music devices and cell phones are not allowed during practice except to contact a parent. Earbuds and headphones are not allowed during practice. Body awareness (breathing, pace, etc) is important to athletic improvement. Headphones/earbuds can detract from this. They also decrease your awareness of traffic, bikers, other runners, or dogs, especially while we are on trail runs. 
• Nutrition and hydrating: Come hydrated to practice. You should slowly be drinking water all day. You  should be finished hydrating 2 hours before a practice. You  should also be finished with a meal 2 hours before a  practice. If you need a snack, try to make it a 100- calorie healthy snack 1 hour before practice. Failing to  follow these guidelines could result in cramping,  stomachaches, vomiting, and overheating. Sleep well and eat a healthy diet. 

***If expectations are not being met, a warning will be given to you the runner. Next, your parents will be contacted and will be asked to come to practice to decide on a discipline plan. After that, the end result may include  suspension or expulsion from the team. There will be no refunds extended beyond HRK's general refund policy.  

Parents' Expectations: 

• Parents are responsible for getting their runners to practice on time as well as picking up on time.  Please also help your runners communicate with coaches when they will be missing practice. If your runner arrives late to practice, they will miss warm-ups and be at a higher risk for injury. If you know you will be late, please communicate this with the head coach. Please be prompt for pickup. All of us coaches are volunteers and live busy lives. When practice is over, we have other places we need to be. If you drop off your child and leave, you must stay in the area on days that have a high chance for lightning should practice end early. 
• Practices: Coaches need volunteers to walk the trails, time runs, and stay back at the shelter to help with younger kids.  
• Please read through the Athlete Expectations (above) with your child. Help the coaches reinforce these expectations.

***If expectations are not being met by runners, a warning will be given to them. Next, you as parents will be contacted and will be asked to come to practice to decide on a discipline plan. After that, the end result may include suspension or expulsion from the team. There will be no refunds extended beyond HRK's general refund policy.  

Please also read HRK’s Inc.’s Parent Expectations.

If you have any questions, please contact .