GWTC Youth Runners & Striders, including SMIRFs

The 2026 SMIRFs & STRIDERs Running Adventures

This Youth Running Program is sponsored by Gulf Winds Track Club.  The program's goal is to provide opportunities for students in elementary, middle and early high school to improve their running skills and endurance. The program is recommended for students age 6 and above who can run at least 1 mile.

• The first day for the 2026 summer session is Monday, June 1, 2026, and the program ends on or about August 8.
• Practices will be held Monday through Friday, weather permitting.  Runners should arrive before 7:45 a.m.; we will end around 9:00 a.m.  
• Drop off, pick up and parking are at 701 Miller Landing Road in the Forest Meadows Soccer Complex.  

Practices will include running in Elinor Klapp‐Phipps Park, which includes 670 acres of protected land along the bank and in the watershed area of Lake Jackson.  The trails are magnificent and home to many GWTC races (the Pot Luck Bash for example) and several high school cross country meets.  

Our goal is to teach kids the fundamentals of running and racing while reminding them how much fun running can be.  If we do it right, running will be a lifetime friend.

Want to join the team?  Register here at RunSignUp.  And don't forget to check out our Facebook Page.  Email or call David Yon, david@radeylaw.com, (850) 321-8768 if you are interested in volunteer coaching or have any questions about the program.

The GWTC Youth Runners & Striders, including SMIRFs brings an exciting race distance to Tallahassee, Florida on June 1, 2026. Don't miss this beautiful event!