cross country runners

SYA Cross Country

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Race across Centreville, Clifton and Fairfax County!


Program Overview

SYA Cross Country (XC)  is open to boys and girls ages 6-16.

First and foremost, the program is designed to be fun. Some runners have a goal to compete in a national race at the end of the season, some use XC to prepare for other sports and others run simply for enjoyment.

Athletes train and compete in off-road races on trails, hills, and park paths. The program focuses on improving endurance, speed, and proper running technique, with races held locally in the Northern Virginia area. Participants are grouped by age, with distances ranging from 2K for the youngest runners to 5K for older athletes. All skill levels are welcome, and no tryouts are required!

Coaches focus on proper running technique, injury prevention and helping athletes improve their endurance and speed. Each practice starts with extensive warm-ups, drills and stretches designed to keep your runner injury free. Your runners will be busy from the time they start practice until it concludes. Parents are welcome (and encouraged) to participate in the warm-ups and the runs.

 

 

SYA cross country team running

EC Lawrence Park | The Trails at SYA Sports Park

Running Grounds:

Learn More

When does the season start?

The 2025 Cross Country season starts in August.

When does the season end?

Some athletes may compete in regional races as late as November and nationals in December.

When do practices start?

Practices start Aug 19, 2025.

How many times per week are practices?

Practices are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings in Centreville, with additional weekend practices when there are no races. When we do not have a weekend race, we may practice on Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon at various locations (e.g., Manassas Battlefield or Burke Lake).

When do races start?

Tentative dates for 2025:

10/5 (1-5pm)

10/11 (9am-12pm)

10/19 (1-5pm)

November Sat/Sun (11:30 am-2:30pm)

Where will the races be?

Races are held at local venues in the Northern Virginia area, such as Van Dyck Park, SYA Sports Park, Providence Park, and Nottoway Park.

Are there tryouts/evaluations?

No; all skill levels are welcome.

Will all participants make the team?

Yes.

Is there a picture day?

No.

What are the registration dates for all SYA sports?

SeasonRegistration opens with $15 discountRegular Registration FeeRegistration Late Fee $25Registration Wait ListSeason Registration Closes
FALLMayJuneJulyAug 1-14Aug 15
WINTERAugustSeptember/OctoberNovemberDec 1-14Dec 15
SPRINGDecemberJanuaryFebruaryMar 1-14Mar 15
SUMMERMarchAprilMayJune 1-14June 15

Schedules

Races:

Races are local and normally held during the weekend in the Northern Virginia area.  Depending on each athlete’s success, some may participate in regional races in November and nationals in December.  

When do I get my child’s schedule?

Approximately two weeks before the start of the season.


Age Limits & Groupings

Although races are broken down into gender and age divisions, all of our XC athletes train and practice together at the same time and location using the same program and coaches. Once the coaches get a feel for individual skill levels, athletes will be grouped with others at a similar level.

USTAF Age Division Birth Year Age at the end of 12/31/2024 Distance (K=kilometer) Approximate Distance in Miles
8 & Under born in or after 2017 8 and under 2K 1.24
9-10 born in 2015 and 2016 9-10 3K 1.86
11-12 born in 2013 and 2014 11-12 3K 1.86
13-14 born in 2011 and 2012 13-14 4K 2.48
15-16 born in 2009 and 2010 15-16 5K 3.10
  • 8 & Under: 2K (1.24 miles)
  • 9-10: 3K (1.86 miles)
  • 11-12: 3K (1.86 miles)
  • 13-14: 4K (2.48 miles)
  • 15-16: 5K (3.10 miles)

Fees

Families will receive a $15 multi-child discount.

League Regular Registration  Fairfax County Recreation Fee Out-of-county fee if applicable​:
Track (Cross Country) $150 $10 $50

Acceptable Payments Options

The system accepts Visa or MasterCard & online checks (your registration is not FINAL until your check payment is received). You may pay your registration fees, and make donations during online registration. You may register multiple players online as well and receive a multiple player discount.


Scholarship/Financial Aid Info

SYA offers scholarships to all SYA participants of all recreational sports who qualify under the Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services program. To learn more about SYA scholarships, click here.


Equipment Requirement

Athletes need a good pair of running shoes and are encouraged to wear t-shirts and running shorts. A runner’s watch is also recommended for pacing.

Are there equipment rentals?

No. Athletes are required to bring their own running shoes and are encouraged to wear appropriate gear.


Contact/Communications

Position Name
Commissioner Alonzo Davis

For other questions: [email protected]
Inclement weather line: 703.324.526


Rules and Policies

Refund Policy

  • Recreational Season/Camp/Clinic Refunds: Requests for refunds must be made in writing and received prior to the roster distribution meeting (coaches meeting) or the first regularly scheduled game that the registrant’s team plays, whichever occurs first. The registration fee will be refunded minus $35 administrative fees prior to that date. No fees will be returned after that time

Attendance Policy

  • Athletes are encouraged to attend practices regularly and arrive on time. Runners should come prepared for all weather conditions.

cross country runners

Volunteers

SYA encourages parents and high school players to volunteer as referees or team staff.

Become a Volunteer


Sponsors

Community and business sponsors help support field maintenance, equipment upgrades, and overall league operations

NOVEC sponsor of SYA
Sports Plus Team Chantilly VA
Trinity Cyber sponsor of SYA youth sports
hammerzone
Washington Spirit Team Shield
adidas logo
Global Systems Engineering Logo
OWL Cyber Defense Logo
Washington Nationals logo
INOVA team up uniform logo
Dick's sporting goods logo
alpine ski shop logo
olson photography logo
glory days grill logo
right fit realty logo
john marshall bancorp Inc logo
A.J. Dwoskin and associates Inc logo
the dog stop logo
Kumon logo
kona ice logo
ortho Virginia logo

Weather Policy

Please check on field status if it has rained in the last 48 hours.

Decisions on field status are generally made by 3:30pm each day Monday-Friday and by 7am on Saturday and Sunday.


Field/Gym Status info can be obtained by:

  • Contacting your coach first and foremost
    [Coaches, check your email the night before game days, to determine whether the school fields and gyms have been closed because of inclement weather, etc. and to alert the members of your team.]
  • FCPS emergency website (for school fields/gyms)
  • Fairfax County Park Authority field status (for county fields only) or via phone: 703-324-5264
  • Contacting your Sports Commissioner


Consider signing up for Fairfax Alerts!
This Fairfax County free public service will alert coaches and parents to school closings due to weather or other emergency situations via e-mail or cell phone.


Boundaries

There is an out-of-county fee, if applicable​, of $50.


FAQs

When do schedules come out?

Approximately two weeks before the start of the season.

Where are the games/practices held?

Fairfax County issues permits to SYA to use facilities in the Centreville/Clifton area. Typically a team will practice at the same facility each week with varying locations for weekend meets throughout Fairfax County.

When do I get notified about my child’s coach/practices/games?

Notification of schedules/locations/times will be sent out 1-2 weeks prior to start of season (as determined by when we receive permits).

How will I be notified?

Mobile app, email, etc.

What scholarship/financial aid information is available?

SYA offers scholarships to all SYA participants of all recreational sports who qualify under the Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services program. To learn more about SYA scholarships, click here.

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