Naples High School, Naples FL
Monday, August 17th, 2026
GCR Club XC Season 2026
Gulf Coast Runners is pleased to announce the continuation of our youth team with the 2026 Fall Cross Country Season. We offer Upper Elementary, Low Elementary and Middle School training sessions. We have training is for "all-comers" as well as all-stars. A new session will begin August 17th and run through the second week in October at the Naples High School track. Coach Moomaw, Coach Lauren, Coach Barone and H.S. volunteers will be conducting these practices from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The focus is on increasing our running knowledge ("running I.Q.") through runs, skills, drills, fundamentals and fun!
Inclusivity and Coaching
- Focus: Gulf Coast Runners is focused on providing adequate coaching at all levels, and is inclusive of all!
- Sessions: These 15 sessions are focused on distance running and preparing for our races in September and October (participation in meets is optional, but encouraged!).
- Jersey: The cost includes a jersey/singlet to represent GCR proudly!
- Distance: Elementary races are usually between 1km and 2km and Middle School races are 3 kilometers. More information is provided below.
Training Sessions
- Schedule: Training Sessions are from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Naples HS. Meet at the track off of 22nd Ave.
- Meeting Days: We meet MOST Monday's and Wednesday's that CCPS has school, except when Naples HS is having their own event.
- Updates: Please follow our social media outlets for updates/cancellations (even those "non social media users" can google Gulf Coast Runners Youth Team and see our posts!)
Schedule Overview
August: 17, 19, 24
September: 2, 9, 14, 16, 23, 28, 30
October: 5, 7, 14, 19, 21*, 26, 28 ~ Oct 26 and 28 (for State meet participants only) ~
* (last day unless going to the FL “state meet” in Lakeland!)
Meets
Saturday, September 19th - Vineyards Park - GCR Youth XC Race
Friday, October 2nd - Holloway Park - "FL Runners Invitational"
- Both races feature both Middle School (3km) and Elementary (2km). Travel to and from races must be provided by parents/guardians.
Elementary Practices
The team is a perfect spot for an elementary runner looking to get in some great workouts, race against those around the county, and alternatively for those looking to get involved in for the first time. All elementary students should have independent bathroom skills and be able to tie their shoes. Lauren Osborne is the contact person for all elementary athletes. Her email is Coachlaurenosborne@gmail.com
Middle School Practices
This session is a training group aimed at high performance during the cross country season. Coach Moomaw is the head coach at Elevate Performance Training and he leads our Gulf Coast Runners Youth Team. He will be conducting our middle school sessions on Monday and Wednesday nights from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the Naples High School track. This group has SEVERAL RACING OPPORTUNITIES throughout the cross country season (2 of which are mentioned above). Coach Moomaw is the Middle School contact at Justin@gcrunner.org
