Queen City Striders - Houghton
About this race
Meeting 2 days per week for 5 weeks (Monday's and Wednesday's from 5:30-6:30pm), a team of coaches led by Queen City Running Company - Houghton's Youth Program Coordinator, Clayton Sayen, will be providing a positive atmosphere where athletes can be inspired and motivated through the discipline of running. We will break down the fundamental skills of running to meet the needs of all those participating. Our techniques will be taught through specific stretching, drills, bodyweight strength exercises, and of course RUNNING! Our Mission is to provide a positive atmosphere where youth athletes can be inspired and motivated through the discipline of running. Additionally our youth will learn the principles of leadership, respect, and teamwork as well as portraying healthy habits to last a lifetime. Included in our program is 10 1-hour sessions, post practice snacks, program T-Shirt, and discounted entries into the races listed below!
Located at the Houghton High School Track our camp will feature drills and activities located on the track, turf, and the state-of-the-art Michigan Tech Trails. Parents are welcome to spectate their kids participation in the camp activities! Any general questions regarding the program are encouraged to be asked! Please reach our the program director, Clayton Sayen, at cmsayen@mtu.edu for any questions!
First day of Camp: June 22nd
Last day of Camp: July 22nd
All participants will receive discounted entries into the following races. Discount codes will be given out to the parents prior to the events!
- Spring Awakening Kids Dash: Saturday, May 16th @ 10:00 AM - FREE
- Canal Run 2-Mile Fun Run/Walk : Saturday, July 18th @ 9:20am - FREE
*Please read the event descriptions for our group level breakdowns can be found under "Event Info"*
Pick your distance
Running
Little Striders (5-6 yrs / entering K-1st Grade)
For our littlest striders, we are encouraging movement and body awareness while finding joy in learning basic running form. Utilizing engaging games and fun drills with the use of toys, we will teach the basics of running form that will be relatable for this age range. We will also do group activities/games that will encourage focusing on the task at hand while also increasing their endurance. (For example; Frogger Runs, Bean Bag relays, Which Animal Am I Runs etc.) This age group will start with shorter distances and work to increase throughout the camp.
Big Striders (7-8 yrs / entering 2nd-3rd grade)
The big striders will navigate through much of the running form taught at the little strider level, but in greater detail. Implementing more running for time vs running for distance. They will participate in games and activities with their peers that promotes camaraderie and showcases the team atmosphere of what is generally seen as an individual sport. Basic stretching and muscle groups will also be introduced at this level. The goal with our big striders will be to start off with how long they can run for without stopping and work to increase that distance throughout camp.
Dashers (9-10 yrs / entering 4th-5th grade)
For our older elementary crew we will be teaching the pure basics of running in a fun and engaging manor. Activities involved will help them learn the proper techniques at a young age and in a fun-filled way. Our hope is to make well-rounded athletes and for our participants to learn healthy lifestyle habits. We will work on pacing with this crew as they dabble into distance running. Dashers will also learn the importance of warming up and cooling down with dynamic and static stretches.
Pacers (11-13 yrs / Middle School)
For our middle school group we hope to improve upon the form and efficiency of our runners. This is the age where our participants are transitioning from play to training and introduction to competition. Most of their time will involve building upon their skills through drills and proper technique activities. Plyometrics, bodyweight strength exercises and dynamic stretching will also play great factors into their time with the club. The pacers group will be introduced to workouts seen on a middle school cross country team (fartlek runs, intervals, paced distance runs). It will be fun group to meet with twice per week to improve upon training for all general sports to avoid injury and lead healthier lifestyles.
Typical race-day weather
Based on 3 years of historical conditions on this event's race dates in Houghton.
Course
Route map and elevation profile
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
Reviews
Done this event?
If you've participated in this event, share your experience with other runners
Other races near Houghton
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Houghton
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Houghton 5K Races 3 races
- Houghton Running Calendar 2026 5 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 6 Houghton events
Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.