2026 Cross Country
Use your talents to encourage, guide and train young athletes at the YMCA by coaching youth sports.
The Y is excited to add Cross Country to its growing list of youth sports programs for the fall and spring seasons! Cross Country is a sport in which teams or individuals run on an outdoor course on grass, dirt, gravel, and even through some lightly wooded terrain. The Y is looking to introduce the sport to young athletes who are looking to be active, add conditioning, or even have plans to one day try out for their high school cross country team.
*Participants must be active YMCA members for the duration of the program to receive member pricing.
REGISTER TODAY
For all kids ages: 5-14
Registration Ends: April 6
Late Registration: April 7 - 13 ($20 late fee will apply)
Seasons Begin: Week of April 27
Members: $95* Community: $130
Offered at: George I. Theisen Family YMCA and Prisma Health Family YMCA at the Sports Fields at 100 Adams Mill Road
RACE & PRACTICE INFORMATION
Practices begin the week of April 27. Times and locations vary by branch and coach. Final details will be shared through PlayerSpace no later than the week before practices begin. Most activities will take place at your home Y unless otherwise noted. Please check PlayerSpace regularly for updates. No meets will be held Memorial Day weekend.
Days and times are subject to change based on coach availability and field space.
| GEORGE I. THEISEN FAMILY YMCA | |
|---|---|
| PRACTICES | MEETS |
| Practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:30 PM to maximize available daylight. | Participants will train throughout the season in preparation for a 5K race on December 13, held on the final Saturday of the season. |
| PRISMA HEALTH FAMILY YMCA | |
|---|---|
| PRACTICES | MEETS |
Ages 5-7: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 PM. Participants may attend one or both practices. All practices are held at the Sports Fields at Adams Mill. Groups will be divided by age and skill level. Ages 8-14: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 PM. Participants may attend one or both practices. All practices are held at the Sports Fields at Adams Mill. Groups will be divided by age and skill level. | Five meets will be held on Saturdays, typically at practice locations or other sites in the Greenville area. Race distances vary by age group. Events will begin between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Sports Directors will provide exact start times each week prior to meets. |
FAQs
Days/times are subject to change depending on Coach’s Choice and field space.
George I. Theisen Family YMCA: Practices will be scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:30pm to make most of the light available during the day.
Prisma Health Family YMCA:
Ages 5-7 will practice twice a week at 5:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Kids can come to one or both practices. All practices at the Sports Fields at Adams Mill. We will split kids by their appropriate age group/skill level at the time of practice.
Ages 8-14 will practice twice a week at 5:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Kids can come to one or both practices. All practices at the Sports Fields at Adams Mill. We will split kids by their appropriate age group/skill level at the time of practice.
George I. Theisen Family YMCA: For our cross country Inaugural season participants will practice/train and work up to be prepared for the 5K race that will be held December 13, the last Saturday of the season.
Prisma Health Family YMCA: There will be 5 meets all on Saturdays, normally at their practice locations or possible other locations in the Greenville area. The distance of the meets will vary by age group. The first/last races will start between 9:00 and 11:00 am.
Sports Directors will send out more information of exact start times weekly before each meet.
Coaches are expected to review their rosters and contact their players the week before practices start, after the coaches meeting. Please contact Tyree Mathis, Sports Director, or Erica Snyder, Assistant Sports Director, if you have not heard from your coach by the Saturday before practices start.
- Dress comfortably (shorts, t-shirt)
- Water bottle
- Tennis or running shoes (required)
The YMCA is committed to providing the highest quality program for you and your family. Staff is provided to oversee all operations of the practices and games. Coaches and Meet Administrators are trained in rules and regulations of cross country. Our courses will be maintained and kept in safe and presentable conditions. Your child will be provided with a team jersey. Every child will receive an end-of-season medal.
Any additional jersey ordered for a participant after the initial jersey order will be a $15 fee.
We appreciate your understanding of these policies.
We try our hardest to accommodate all requests, but the YMCA cannot guarantee any requests that are made for practice days, times, coaches, etc.
Your child should be in an age group based on their age on the first day of practices. Example: If the child is 7 at the time of registration, but turns 8 before the first day of practices, the child would need to play in the 8-14 age groups. If you feel your child can run in an older age group, you must speak with the director before the child will be moved up.
The primary form of communication will be sent from the Sports Directors. The YMCA will communicate practice schedules, meet schedules, and other important information throughout the season through email.
The Sports Director or Sports Specialist will call practices/meets under severe weather (lightning, thunderstorms, tornado watch), ongoing hard rain, snow/ice, and/or any possible weather threats. Otherwise, any other weather conditions such as small rain showers will be at the discretion of the coach. This is for all ages. Please get a contact list of the Head Coach, Assistant Coach, and Team parent to see if practice is called off. If the YMCA does call off practices/meets, the decision will be made by 5:00pm for weekdays and 8:00am on Saturdays. Everyone will receive a notification through Playerspace. After this time all decisions will be made at the field and information will be given to the Member Services desk at the YMCA. Always check with your coach to see if it’s cancelled.
After the game schedule has been created, we will send it to the photographer and he will develop a picture schedule. As soon as we get this, we will pass it along to coaches and parents through email. Portrait EFX is the photography company. After your picture day has passed, they will process all orders and mail them out within a 3-4 week time period. Any inquiries regarding problems with picture orders or not receiving your pictures should be sent to Todd Rogers at (864) 616-7999 or trogers@portraitefx.com.
Medals will be given to coaches before the end of the season. It is up to coaches to pass them out after the last game or at a party. If you would like your team to have a party to pass out medals, get with your coach and/or team parent to help set one up.
Yes! Please visit this link to complete the Financial Assistance form. Please allow at least 10 business days for this process. You must already be approved for Financial Assistance at the time of registration in order to receive your discounted rate for the season.
For questions on this process, please call the Y at (864) 412-0288.
For 2026 Spring Season:
March 9 - April 6: A full refund will be issued.
April 7-26 A credit or refund will be issued minus $20.
April 27 and later: No refund can be issued, expect for emergencies and/or doctor’s note.