Track & Cross Country
Centre Region Parks and Recreation and The Nittany Valley Running Club are sponsors for cross-country races for Centre Region youth, ages 14 and under. The program began in fall 1999, and we've had more than 100 kids participating each year. Participation is FREE!
Back again for Fall 2025: The Centre Region Youith Cross-Country Runs at Oak Hall Regional Park
Saturday Sept. 20, Oct. 4 and Oct. 18
All youth ages 14 and under are invited to the Centre Region Youth Cross Country (X-C) runs. The focus is on fun, fitness and the skill common to many sports: running. Races will be at the Oak Hall Regional Park, located at 120 Linden Hall Road, Boalsburg, PA; see https://www.crpr.org/oak-hall-regional-park.
The X-C distance and start times vary by age; see below. Please arrive at least a half-hour before the race time to register and allow time to warm up. Parents/guardians will be asked to sign a release form for each runner, which is good for all races in the series. Questions: contact Greg Fredericks (814-466-6976) or Liz Kisenwether (814-571-3487). More info. and results at https://www.nvrun.com/index.php/racing/kids/youth-cross-country-program.
No fee to participate and ribbons to all finishers!
Races will be held at the Oak Hall Regional Park, located at 120 Linden Hall Road, Boalsburg. Sign-up will be on the morning of each race. The X-C distances and age groups are based on National AAU (Amateu Athletic Union) standards. Please arrive at least a half-hour before the race time to register and allow time to warm-up. Parents/guardians will be asked to sign a release form for each runner, which is good for all races in the series. Waiver Form.
Note: This year's start times for age groups are different from previous years!
Here are maps of the courses:
2K Course
3K Course
4K Course
| Event Details: | ||
| Ages, as of 12/31/2025: | X-C Distance: | Start Time: |
| 13 or 14 yrs. | 4K (1.2 miles) | 8:30 AM |
| 8 yrs. or younger | 2K (1.8 miles) | 9:00 AM |
| 9 or 10 yrs. | 3K (1.8 miles) | 9:30 AM |
| 11 or 12 yrs. | 3K (2.4 miles) | 9:30 AM |
A mix of running/jogging/walking is ok. We have had children much younger than 8 years old participate, along with a parent or older sibling. It's all about exposure to X-C, having fun, and taking pride in solid accomplishment!
More info and results at https://www.nvrun.com/index.php/racing/kids/youth-cross-country-program
Contacts for Questions:
- Greg Fredericks (814) 466-6976 glf1@psu.edu
- Liz Kisenweather (814) 571-3487 lizk@psu.edu
More information and results are posted at www.nvrun.com.
Central PA Youth Track & Field Meet
The annual Central PA youth track & field meet is held in June each year in cooperation with the Nittany Valley Running Club (nvrun.com). Check back in 2026 for more details.