2026 Programs will be updated as location and times are secure. Typically, registration opens 45 days prior to the beginning of the program.
Winter Warriors Mid + Distance Fun Runs- TU/TH, 4:30-5:45 Spring Rock Park, Western Springs and Sunday, time and location tbd, January 13-March 29.
Spring Track Clinic, Sunday, 3-5 PM, Hinsdale Central, March 8, 15, 22, 29.
Chicago Flyers Track Season, Full Season begins in April-July, Short Season options available for multi-sport and those training with their schools.
Little Flyers Track Season, May-July.
Cross-Country, Full Season begins August 23 with Short Season options.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Cost should never prevent a child from becoming a Chicago Flyer. We have a few generous donors who want to make sure that the program is affordable for everyone. Please email me if you wish to learn more.
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The following is information for a typical season. Use for future reference but dates/times/locations are on the REGISTRATION PAGE, CALENDAR AND EVENTS.
Spring Track Clinic: Hinsdale Central and Downers Grove South, Sandburg. Hinsdale South. It varies.
Summer Track Season: All levels of runners are welcome and will succeed. Sprint, Mid and Distance Training, Jumps-horizontal at a minimum, possibly throws. A positive attitude after the first few days is required!
- Options-Long Season-April 13 -July 17, 4-5 days per week, 9-15 years. Short Season-Sundays April 913-May 13. Full Season May 16-July 20 or adjusted season for rising freshman. Little Flyers , 6-8 years, April and May Sundays, then regular practices starting 5/13
- Requirements- Desire to be on the team · Shoes remain tied · Parent/athlete responsible for on-time, layers, water, running shoes, · 60 minute attention span · Respectful
- Focus: · Running Mechanics/Drills · Event training · Core/Coordination/Balance/Agility · Dynamic Warm-ups · Teamwork · Team Values · Attitude · Multiple Training Groups-Events/Level/Gender/Age
- Price can include: T-shirt, track/park rentals, professional coaching, AAU membership and a few meet fees. Additional fee for Nationals and uniforms.
- Events: See Calendar and Events Page.AAU/USATF sanctioned track meets, fun track meets, community runs and Forest Preserve Family Fun run.
Cross Country Season
- Options-Long Season-August 25 - November 21. Short Season-October 10th-November 21st + all Sunday Runs. Competition Only-Meets and Sunday Runs. Competition event distances range from 1.5-3.1 miles · Age: 9-14 with minimum distance requirements.
- Requirements- Desire to be on the team · Minimum 2-3 practices per week · Shoes remain tied · Parent/athlete responsible for on-time, layers, water, running shoes, · 60 minute attention span · Respectful
- FOCUS: · Running Mechanics/Drills · Event training · Core/Coordination/Balance/Agility · Dynamic Warm-ups · Teamwork · Team Values · Attitude · Multiple Training Groups-Events/Level/Gender/Age
- Events: See Calendar and Events Page.
FAMILY COMMITMENT: · Volunteer Hours (possibly) and Participation! - Ensuring that child is delivered to practice 5 minutes early, dressed correctly.
WHY PAY FOR A TEAM WHEN I COULD JUST RUN WITH MY KID? We usually employ 4-20 coaches per season to ensure that your child has the best coaching available. This is our profession. We have overhead, insurance, facilities, supplies, this website. Our practices are different everyday, meeting the needs of children on different levels, requiring constant education. This is cheaper than a babysitter and much cheaper than league football, soccer, lacrosse, swim team or detention.
My child's future high school coach has asked my child to train with them. It is flattering but don't worry, your athlete will be recognized in high school for their performance, maturity, and love for the sport. Is there a greater chance for burn-out or inability to obtain new training levels when your athlete has been in the same program for many years? Yes! Let High School be a new start! Plus, let's avoid stress fractures and keep them running for speed and mechanics versus trying to keep up and impress with the older kids. Kids, 6-15, do not have the same training requirements as a high school student. Still hankering to train with the high school? Let's work on a plan with your athlete's development in mind to combine the training.
MEETS:
Cross Country Meets, arrive an hour or so before the race for warm-up and then however long it takes your athlete to complete their race of 1.5-2.5 miles. Usually a nice day in the fall but perhaps you might bring an umbrella or a hot coffee (for yourself of course.)
TRACK EVENTS: Kids compete based on age group. The most common events are: 100/200/400/800/1500/3000 and 4x100, 4x400 and 4x800 relays, hurdles, long jump, high jump, steeple. Speed is a critical component of success in hurdles and jumps, so we focus on speed. Although we compete in the meets that lead to AAU Nationals, at times we compete in a USATF sponsored events and local community events.
AAU/USATF/YES?: What's up with all those letters? AAU, Amateur Athletic Union, is the organization that the Flyers usually compete to the National Level. Most age groups are defined by individual birth year. USATF, USA Track & Field, also offers national competition but each competition group includes 2 birth years. For the 2018 season, members are only required to have an AAU extended benefits membership for club liability and competition. We will register your athlete. During the cross country season, XC, we compete in AAU, USATF and attend the YES Nationals meet.
PRACTICES and MANDATORY PRACTICE GEAR: Practices are held in snow, moderate rain and even sunshine. Practice is canceled or moved to a safe area if sleet/hail/lava and thunder threaten. A practice is called/delayed within 30 minutes of start time if inclement weather is anticipated, or shortened with a text to practice groups. The same text notification is given if the team has sought cover. One of the best performances of the team followed a practice in a surprise downpour. Since practices are held in changing weather, the team has a MANDATORY PRACTICE GEAR policy. Athletes must arrive at practice with one additional top layer if temperature is between 65 and 80 degrees. Athletes must arrive at practice with one long (to ankles) layer of pants and two top layers if temperature is between 30 and 64 degrees. Hat and gloves are recommended at this temperature also. The bag, with clothing or if worn, is the parents' responsibility and must be evident at the beginning of practice.
