Running Programs


It Starts With Having Fun!
 

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Gotta Run Kids 5K Program

Gotta Run Kids 5k program is an eight-week (seven weeks in winter) co-ed running program suitable for 3rd-8th grade children. The program is held 4 times per year. Each session will develop and encourage children of all running abilities to progress from their current level of fitness to being able to complete a 5km race at the conclusion of the program. By reaching small milestones throughout the course of the program, the children’s self-confidence will increase in tandem with their ability to run further distances and improve their times.
 

Fall 2024 Program Details
Days: Tuesdays (5:45 pm-6:45 pm) and Sunday (4:30 pm - 5:30 pm)

Location: Chattahoochee Pointe Park
Dates: Aug. 27th - Oct. 26th


Winter 2025 Program Details
Days: Tuesdays (5:45 pm-6:45 pm) at Windemere Park AND Sundays (4:00 pm-5:00 pm) at Chattahoochee Pointe 

Cost: $198
Dates: Jan. 5th - Feb. 22nd
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Gotta Run Kids 1-Mile Club

Our Gotta Run Kids Junior Program is a 6-week, co-ed running class suitable for  K-2nd/*3rd grade children.  The group meets once a week for a 45-minute lesson where the kids will be working toward the 1-mile race which is held during our last lesson. All runners who complete the race will be awarded a finishers-medal.

During our lessons, we will incorporate games to teach the kids about correct running form and pacing (think cheetah vs. turtle) and to work on their endurance with the goal of building up to a mile. We will also do a small amount of core and stretching during each lesson. Our lessons are built around having fun - the kids get fitter without even knowing that they are working hard!


Fall 2024

Practices: Sundays 3:30 pm -
4:15 pm
Location: Chattahoochee Pointe Park (Forsyth County)
Cost: $148 (incl. shirt and medal)
Dates: Sep. 8th - Oct. 20th (race day)


* Parents of 3rd graders can choose between the 5k or 1-Mile program

 **No practice the week of Forsyth County Fall Break
 
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Private Coaching

​We offer private coaching for middle school and high school runners who would like to hone their skills in the off-season, or for those who simply want to improve on their current ability. Coach Greg has coached many athletes who have gone on to run at the collegiate D1 and D2 levels, including GA Tech, UGA, Mississippi State, Mercer University, Wake Forest, Furman, University of Miami etc. See our "News" tab for more info.

Private Coaching
Coach Greg will start with an assessment to establish fitness level, form issues, and any other factors that might be impacting performance. After the initial session, most private coaching is done on a weekly basis which will work around or in conjunction with school practices. His goal is to augment school training, not replace it. There are certain athletes who like to meet with him just to "tweak" their form or to discuss race strategy. These sessions will be done on an as-needed basis.

Track Conditioning Sessions
We will hold track conditioning sessions in the winter for any runner who is wanting to prepare for the track session. Sessions are held at Fowler Park once per week for the 4 weeks leading up to school try-outs. Please contact us for more information. 


Sessions are usually held at Fowler Park. Weekly training spots are limited, so if you are interested in setting up a session, please reach out to Coach Greg so he can look at availability.






 
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Great Strides XC Team

Great Strides is the competitive division of our program. Our cross-country team is consistently ranked as one of the top middle school teams in the state. They won the MS State championship (boy and girls) in 2021 and 2022, and in 2023 our boys kept their title and the girls were runners-up. Our middle school runners practice year-round and compete in various meets across Georgia. Almost every one of our runners got their start in our Gotta Run Kids 5k program, and most go on to run in High School and beyond!






 
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Summer Camp

Our Summer Camps are a great way to break up the summer routine and have some fun.  We offer week long camps that work on endurance, race strategy and form, but most of all - FUN! These camps are for runners who plan to run on the Great Strides Team in the Fall.


 

★★★★★

Our family is very grateful and blessed to be part of the Gotta Run Kids and Great Strides family. This program has really helped our son, Eli, excel in his passion of running and becoming an athlete. Coach Greg brings a lifetime of experience, credibility, excellence, and values to the program. He always puts the runner first and encourages the kids to have fun, value teammates, practice hard, and do their best. This team creates a great family-environment with lots of fun memories!
- Laura B