GCR State XC Qualifier 2026 at Vineyards Community Park
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Saturday, September 19th, 2026
First race begins at 8am!
Gulf Coast Runners invites all youth from kindergarten through 8th grade to come and compete in the State XC Qualifier at Vineyards Community Park on Saturday, September 19th.
This qualifying race is open to all schools, running clubs as well as unattached individuals who want to have a chance to qualify for the Florida Youth Running Association (FLYRA) State Cross Country Championship at Holloway Park in Lakeland, FL.
Middle School - Grades 6th, 7th and 8th
Upper Elementary - Grades 3rd, 4th and 5th
Lower Elementary - Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd
Schedule:
Here is the approximate schedule of events on Saturday, September 19th at Vineyards Community Park:
-8am: Girls 3K Middle School Race
-8:30am: Boys 3K Middle School Race
-9am: Upper Elementary Girls 2K Race
-9:10am: Middle School Awards
-9:20am: Upper Elementary Boys 2K Race
-9:30am: Lower Elementary 1K Fun Run (not officially timed but time clock will be on)
-9:30-9:45am: Upper Elementary Awards
Course:
-Middle School course is 3K (1.87 miles)
-Upper Elementary School is 2K (1.24 miles)
-Lower Elementary Fun Run is 1K (0.62 miles)
*Just a reminder that this is a cross-country terrain course which means there is no pavement. Participants will be running across grass, fallen leaves, and may even include soft patches of dirt and sand.
Awards:
The top 2 Middle School teams will receive trophies in each championship race and the top 10 individual runners will receive medals.
The overall Middle School girl and boy winner will receive a special award.
The top 10 Upper Elementary School individual runners will receive medals!
Lower Elementary Fun Run participants get a finisher’s medal.
Results will be posted online:
https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/116661#resultSetId-585682;perpage:100
Parking:
Vineyards Community Park has a paved parking lot and their grass field will be utilized for school buses. Please be very mindful and do not block in other vehicles. It is highly recommended that if it's possible, please carpool.
Runners and their families should anticipate arriving at least 45 minutes prior to the start of their race. Runners will need to check in with their coach at their respective tent/meeting area with their school or running club, and receive a bib number.
Volunteers:
GCR is looking for volunteers to help do a variety of tasks in order to help run this event smoothly. If you are able to personally volunteer some time, or have older children at least aged 14 and older, Gulf Coast runners would absolutely appreciate it!
For those who would like a little preview of what to expect, here is a Facebook social media album of the competition from last year in 2025 including videos of the start of the races and photos of the awards.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1214221684069599&type=3
Schools, running clubs and unattached individuals will have to register online here:
https://fl.milesplit.com/meets/764430-gcr-state-xc-qualifier-2026
-$200 per team/club for all the races and all genders.
-$20 per individual unattached.
Payment is accepted on day of the event.
Coaches and parents of individuals ONLY will need to pick up packet of bib numbers at the Registration Pavilion.
*For those who will be members of the 2026 GCR Youth Team Cross Country Team, you will have your registration fee covered by GCR. Parents will not have to register or pay for their runner as GCR will cover all costs!
Registration will open up later this summer.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact the coaches:
-Middle School: [email protected]
-Elementary School: [email protected]
First race begins at 8am!
Gulf Coast Runners invites all youth from kindergarten through 8th grade to come and compete in the State XC Qualifier at Vineyards Community Park on Saturday, September 19th.
This qualifying race is open to all schools, running clubs as well as unattached individuals who want to have a chance to qualify for the Florida Youth Running Association (FLYRA) State Cross Country Championship at Holloway Park in Lakeland, FL.
Middle School - Grades 6th, 7th and 8th
Upper Elementary - Grades 3rd, 4th and 5th
Lower Elementary - Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd
Schedule:
Here is the approximate schedule of events on Saturday, September 19th at Vineyards Community Park:
-8am: Girls 3K Middle School Race
-8:30am: Boys 3K Middle School Race
-9am: Upper Elementary Girls 2K Race
-9:10am: Middle School Awards
-9:20am: Upper Elementary Boys 2K Race
-9:30am: Lower Elementary 1K Fun Run (not officially timed but time clock will be on)
-9:30-9:45am: Upper Elementary Awards
Course:
-Middle School course is 3K (1.87 miles)
-Upper Elementary School is 2K (1.24 miles)
-Lower Elementary Fun Run is 1K (0.62 miles)
*Just a reminder that this is a cross-country terrain course which means there is no pavement. Participants will be running across grass, fallen leaves, and may even include soft patches of dirt and sand.
Awards:
The top 2 Middle School teams will receive trophies in each championship race and the top 10 individual runners will receive medals.
The overall Middle School girl and boy winner will receive a special award.
The top 10 Upper Elementary School individual runners will receive medals!
Lower Elementary Fun Run participants get a finisher’s medal.
Results will be posted online:
https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/116661#resultSetId-585682;perpage:100
Parking:
Vineyards Community Park has a paved parking lot and their grass field will be utilized for school buses. Please be very mindful and do not block in other vehicles. It is highly recommended that if it's possible, please carpool.
Runners and their families should anticipate arriving at least 45 minutes prior to the start of their race. Runners will need to check in with their coach at their respective tent/meeting area with their school or running club, and receive a bib number.
Volunteers:
GCR is looking for volunteers to help do a variety of tasks in order to help run this event smoothly. If you are able to personally volunteer some time, or have older children at least aged 14 and older, Gulf Coast runners would absolutely appreciate it!
For those who would like a little preview of what to expect, here is a Facebook social media album of the competition from last year in 2025 including videos of the start of the races and photos of the awards.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1214221684069599&type=3
Schools, running clubs and unattached individuals will have to register online here:
https://fl.milesplit.com/meets/764430-gcr-state-xc-qualifier-2026
-$200 per team/club for all the races and all genders.
-$20 per individual unattached.
Payment is accepted on day of the event.
Coaches and parents of individuals ONLY will need to pick up packet of bib numbers at the Registration Pavilion.
*For those who will be members of the 2026 GCR Youth Team Cross Country Team, you will have your registration fee covered by GCR. Parents will not have to register or pay for their runner as GCR will cover all costs!
Registration will open up later this summer.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact the coaches:
-Middle School: [email protected]
-Elementary School: [email protected]
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Where is it happening?
Vineyards Community Park, Vanderbilt Beach, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherGulf Coast Runners Youth Team
