Welcome to the website for the Chapel Hill / Carrboro Pacers Youth Running Club --
a healthy concern for 30 years running!
Fall & Spring Seasons
Boys and girls aged 7 - 18 join the Fall and/or Spring seasons of Pacers for a competitive edge, for exercise, or just for fun. Runners are grouped according to age and / or ability, with shorter runs tailored for beginners and more vigorous trail runs for seasoned veterans. Whatever your ability, we're simply looking forward to offering creative sessions which aim to instill a love of running as a lifetime sport. Parents are always welcome to join the runs!
Both seasons include woods and trail running, varied workouts, time trials for PRs, scavenger hunt & relay fun, and an end-of-season family party. The spring season also offers an opportunity to focus on sprinting, and an introduction to hurdles, baton relays and field events. Coaches offer tips on such topics as running form, stretching, and hydration & nutrition at the beginning and informally throughout practices. Runners have the opportunity to join other Pacers in local races* or prepare for end-of-season USATF Junior Olympic competitions, but the emphasis is always on fun and participation with the Pacers -- continually "on the run" since the 1970's (scroll down for the most recently unearthed 80s composite)!
To review the schedule of important dates and activities, visit the Dates link.
Registration
Youngsters age 7 (or turning 7 during this current calendar year) through aged 18 may run, and the price is $75 for the first child, and $55 for additional siblings. Due to the overwhelming growth of the Pacers in recent years and the desire to sustain a safe and personalized program, we limit the number of runners who may participate each season. Our volunteer coach teams are committed to pursuing the mission and legacy of the Pacers: to instill in each and every participant a lifetime love of running.
Registration for each season is held online on a first-come, first-served basis, open initially to those who have participated in the past two seasons and / or signed up for the Pacers mailing list before the first of the registration month.
Our Spring 2013 program is full. Please email ccpacers@gmail.com to join the mailing list for info on Fall 2013 registration, or call 919.619.4565 any time for offline inquiries.
Location & Tips
Spring practices will run Tuesday March 19 through Thursday May 28, from the UNC Track, Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-6:30pm. We will share info throughout the season about (optional) weekend races and activities.
Adverse Weather:
If there are storms in the area, check your email. We run in the rain! However, there must not be thunder or lightning within 20 minutes of the 4:30 practice start time. Generally, we'll try to make the call as to whether practice will go on as scheduled by 3:45 at the latest, based on area Doppler weather data. If in doubt, please call 919.619.4565, choose to stay home, or remain close by if you can, and know that we are watching the radar and moving runners to safety if the weather takes a turn for the worse during practice.
Attire:
Runners must be appropriately attired in workout clothes and running shoes. These shoes don't have to be high end, but they must be athletic shoes suitable for running (not basketball shoes). We support Fleet Feet Sports in Carrboro as our running community resource!
Hydration:
We have a cooler of Gatorade / sports drink available at the conclusion of each practice, but there's only so much to go around, so please have your Pacer also bring a water bottle with their name on it. The importance of daily hydration increases with rising temperatures.
Family Involvement
Pacers culture enjoys and depends on the involvement of Pacer families: parents, caregivers, siblings, grandparents. Not all are runners, but there are many opportunities. Here are some of the many of the ways family members support Pacers:
- sweep/run at practices on a regular or sporadic basis
- mix and bring Gatorade to practice one day a week (provided by Pacers)
- assist with organized activities like Time Trials, scavenger hunts or relays (with or without running)
- assist with distribution of Pacer Tees
- take photos of practices & events to share and celebrate Pacers' experiences
- assist with coordination of weekend events (optional races, USATF)
- assist with the preparation of PR ribbons
- help plan and coordinate end-of-season family celebration.
Coach Team & Contacts
The Pacers is led by Head Coach Meredith Bolon, and this spring welcomes veteran and new volunteer coaches including Emily Braaten, Harold Hill, Karyn Hede, Adrienne Jimenez, William Graden, Rob Crook, Jennifer Woods, Gary Galloway, Deborah Cousins, Tommy Galloway, Carter Kersh, Tina Clossick, Andrea Knight, Michael Wood, Samantha Smith, Caleb Roenigk and our other middle and high school Junior Coaches, and members of the UNC XC Club.
It's a privilege to continue the traditions and legacy of Pacers in its 4th decade. Below are a few pieces of memorabilia shared by alumni, of whom three are currently coaches!
For more information, email or call Coach Meredith at ccpacers@gmail.com / (919)619-4565.
*Competitions are optional; we will have many non-competitive events throughout the season.
PACERS ~ ON THE RUN SINCE THE 70s!
early 80's pacers composite!