Chattanooga Track Club is launching its Elementary Cross Country Series Sept. 1 with a one-lap, 1-mile sprint around the Tennessee River Park Maintenance Field off Amnicola Highway beginning at 4:15 p.m. The series will host runs Sept. 8, 15, 22 and 29 in the same spot.
"We are looking to get 400 to 500 runners like last year," said CTC Elementary Cross Country Series race director Denny Marshall, adding that the entry fee per runner is $1 for the whole series. "The race is for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders."
Each grade level will race in separate 15-minute intervals beginning at 4:15, although each series race could take a fast sprinter six minutes and a walker 20 minutes, Marshall said.
"The race is about getting kids healthy, active and out running," said Marshall. "It's my first year to be in charge of the race. My son is in the third grade, so he will be able to race in it."
Marshall said running points will be tallied up from the first four races to determine the winners of the series on the final race day, Sept. 29, when runners will participate in a fun run and trophy awards ceremony.
With obesity on the rise for young children, it is essential for youth to get out and exercise to stay healthy, said Marshall.
The CTC Elementary Cross Country Series trains children for a Junior Mircale Marathon Nov. 12 at noon at Barnhardt Circle in Fort Oglethorpe. Children in grades first through sixth can participate by registering and paying a $12 entry fee. Runners will run or walk a mile at a time and color in a block for each mile accomplished at the marathon. The funds raised will support Children's Hospital at Erlanger.
Participants will receive a Junior Miracle Marathon T-shirt and a prize.
"It's about getting the kids involved in running," said Marshall. "The children get a fundraising page for the Junior Miracle Marathon. It's something new."