Cross Country
Season Overview
Cross Country runs from September through October, with practices held at local parks and school facilities. Practices are one hour long and designed to keep athletes moving, building conditioning and endurance, and having fun.
SJR competes within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia CYO Cross Country program.
Age Divisions
Sub-Novice
Birth year 2018 and later.
A parent or guardian (not just an older sibling) of a Sub-Novice athlete must be present for all practices and meets and be ready to assist the coach for any needs which may arise with their child.
“May my Pre-K or Kindergarten age child participate?” Please see the FAQ section for details.
Varsity
Novice: Birth Year 2016 - 2017
Minor: Birth Year 2014 - 2015
Cadet: Birth Year 2012 - 2013 and on or after September 1, 2011 (up to 8th grade).
What We Do
CYO Cross Country (sometimes referred to as “XC” or “CC”) is all about distance running through fields, along trails, up and down hills, and through parks or school grounds. Race distances vary according to age, and range from 2km (1.2mi) up to 4km (2.5mi). The age divisions are shown in the table below.
While athletes may run in events with others who are older or younger than they are, they are only timed/scored within their own age and gender division.
| Division | Race Distance |
|---|---|
| Sub-Novice | 2K / 1.2mi |
| Novice | 3K / 1.9mi |
| Minor | 3K / 1.9mi |
| Cadet | 4K / 2.5mi |
Practices and Meets
Practices
Practices are held 3 times per week from August through October, and are typically one hour in length. Younger athletes are encouraged to attend two practices per week, and more experienced athletes are encouraged to attend all three practices each week. Practices are held at nearby parks and schools, and focus on building endurance and speed while developing proper running form and healthy lifestyle habits. All practices include a team prayer and instruction from the coaches on how to grow in our Catholic identity through the sport.
Athletes should arrive 10 minutes before the start of practice. The full schedule of practices and meets is maintained within TeamSnap. A link to join the TeamSnap app will be sent to registered athletes at the beginning of the season.
Parents with knowledge of Cross Country running are encouraged to help out at practices, especially with the Sub-Novice athletes. If you would like to be an assistant coach, please reach out to the head coach before or during the season.
Athletes should have proper running sneakers (for more information, see the FAQ section) and wear layers of athletic clothing to adapt to changes in temperature. Athletes should bring a large water bottle (sports drinks are not recommended for young athletes when the duration of intense physical activity is less than one hour, as is the case with CYO Cross Country).
Meets
Meets are held on Sundays from mid-September through the CYO Championship Meet at the end of October. Athletes are required to attend at least three regular season meets to be eligible to run in the AOP CYO Championship Meet. Each athlete competes in only one race per meet, and races are divided according to the age division and gender of the athletes.
Parents may be asked to volunteer at meets. Volunteer positions include serving as course marshals or helping to set up or take down rope course markers and crowd control markers before and after the meet. No experience is necessary - on-the-job training is provided!
Athletes will be issued an SJR running singlet to wear at the meets. They can wear any athletic shorts they wish, and black running shorts are available from the coach if needed. Athletes should wear their running sneakers for all events. Varsity athletes may consider racing spikes, but they are absolutely not required. For more information on running shoes, see the FAQ section.
SJR typically also participates in three local meets hosted by Our Lady of Mount Carmel/Our Lady of Guadalupe in Doylestown, PA. These meets are held on several Friday nights during the regular season, and will be posted on the TeamSnap schedule once available. These meets are smaller than the regular season meets, and do not count toward the minimum meet requirement for the AOP CYO Championship Meet.
After the CYO Cross Country season, interested athletes can also participate as part of the Philadelphia CYO Cross Country team at the Northeast Regional Meet, and Cross Country Coaches National Youth Championship Meet, which both take place in November. Additional details for these post-season opportunities will be shared throughout the season.
2026 SJR CYO Cross Country Meet Schedule
| Meet | Date & Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Practice Meets | ||
| Coming Soon! |
|
|
| Championship Meet | ||
|
AOP CYO Championship Meet (All Athletes) |
TBD |
TBD |
| Post-Season Meets | ||
|
Northeast Regional Meet (Optional) |
TBD |
TBD |
|
Cross Country Coaches National Youth Championship Meet (Regional Qualifiers Only) |
TBD |
TBD |