How Track & Field at Whisper works.

2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Whisper Running.  Coming off the 2024 seasons, where the program was undergoing a youth movement by taking on more elementary school-aged runners than ever before, the team is now a year older, a year stronger, and ready to take on the seasons that await.

PRACTICE: Practice is offered multiple days each week and runners are encouraged to attend at least two non-consecutive sessions each week. See the Calendar for training dates, locations, and times.

RACE SEASON: See our meet schedule on athletic.net.  The first three meets of the season act as qualifying meets for the Oregon Middle School Meet of Champions. All meets act as qualifying meets for Nike Outdoor Nationals. All elementary and middle school age runners are eligible to participate in the 4/19, 4/25-26, 5/9-10, 5/23-24, & 6/6-8 meets.

MIDDLE SCHOOL VS CLUB: Children may compete for both their middle school team and Whisper during the same season. If a date conflicts and teams find themselves competing on the same date, in the spirit of athletics, the athlete should participate for their school program.

JUNIOR OLYMPICS: While USATF Junior Olympics is offered in track and field, Whisper has typically not participated due to the length of the JO season.  With Associations being June 27-29, Regions being July 3-6, and Nationals in late July, the cost of travel never made sense.  Additionally, the JO season conflicts with the Summer Training, as well as fantastic summer running camps throughout the Pacific Northwest.  However, if your child wishes to participate in the Junior Olympic series, we may certainly register them for these events (qualifying rounds).  Please communicate your child’s interest with Coach Dave at the beginning of June to coordinate registration.

REGISTRATION COSTS: Season registration is $49 per child, and includes a uniform for your child to use for the season (unreturned uniforms are $129).  USATF registration, $33, is a separate registration and is also required.  Most meets are $25.  NON is usually $50 per event entered.  Registration is simple. Complete the annual waiver (new waiver per child per year), pay registration, and RSVP to the meet(s) that your child is able to participate in.  See the Join the Team (Spring Track) page for details.

SOLICITING INTEREST: Meet entries are due 5-10 days prior to the meet date - entry due dates/times are up to each meet director.  Therefore, you can anticipate an email from me approximately two weeks from any given race.  

RACE DAY: Runners should arrive at the race venue 75-minutes before the start of their race, taking into consideration drive and parking time.  Upon arrival, the Whisper canopy will be set-up for you/runners to come to, pick up their bib, have a light snack (click here if you would like to sign-up to bring snacks), and hang out until the warm-up begins, which is usually 50-minutes prior to race time.