Come join the fun!

Whisper kicks off the 2024 season at the Ultimook Race in Tillamook, OR, participating alongside runners from around the PNW! Ultimook includes a 20m mud pit, two stream crossings, and loads of fun! It’s the perfect setting for beginning runners! Check out the Ultimook video for a preview of what’s to come!

Training and racing registrations are listed below. Training dates, locations, and times are posted on the Calendar. To begin training with Whisper, see “How to begin training with Whisper” below.  To begin racing with Whisper, see “How to begin competing with Whisper” below.

2024 XC SCHEDULE (CLICK TO VIEW ATHLETIC.NET + INFO)
Sat, Sept 7 - Ultimook Race in Tillamook, OR (results)
Sat, Sept 14 - Ash Creek XC Festival in Monmouth, OR (results)
Sat, Sept 21 - Three Course Challenge in Warrenton, OR (results)
Sun, Sept 29 - WSRR Rust Buster in Seattle, WA (results)
Sat, Oct 5 - HOKA 28th John Payne XC Invite in University Place, WA (results)
Fri, October 11 - Rose City Championship in Portland, OR (results)
Sat, Oct 19 - Halloween Dash Bash in Vancouver, WA (results)
Sun, Nov 3 - Stumptown Youth XC Championship (results)
Sat, Nov 16 - USATF JO Association Meet in Seattle, WA (results)
Sat, Nov 23 - USATF JO Regional Meet in Seattle, WA (results)
Sat, Dec 7 - AAU Nationals in Charlotte, NC (results)

Team Registration is $49.

How to begin Training with whisper

Follow the steps below to complete training registration. NOTE: There are two training registration options: Annual & Runcard. You only need one to begin training with Whisper. Most begin with the Runcard. If your child would like to commit long-term, the Annual becomes the best economic option.

how to begin competing with whisper

If your child would like to race with Whisper, the following three steps will need to be completed:

1. USATF REGISTRATION: Register with USATF (Whisper Team code #36-0310 - $33/year). Upon registering, age verification is mandatory if your child would like to participate in the one of both of the USATF meets in November.  To verify your child’s age, select “Athlete Verifications” and upload a copy of their birth certificate or passport.

2. AAU REGISTRATION: USATF is hosting the November Junior Olympic races (11/16, 11/23), and AAU is hosting the National meet on December 7. If your child will be participating in the AAU National XC Meet in Charlotte, North Carolina, they will need to have an AAU registration. Click here to register with AAU (Whisper Team code W3E5FT - $25), select “Track & Field (X-Country, Multi-Events)”, extended coverage, followed by general profile contents. To connect your child’s profile with Whisper, enter local zip code and search for “Whisper” OR enter club code W3E5FT. Age verification is not required, but if there is a protest at the National meet involving your child, proof of age via birth certificate or passport will be required.

3. XC SEASON REGISTRATION: Register with Whisper (link at right). The $49 fee helps cover coaches travel and expenses, as well as uniform replacements. Uniforms are free to borrow, but must be returned at the conclusion of the season. Unreturned uniforms are $129.  Registration covers race entry fees and does not include training. Registration into meets is prepaid by Whisper to host teams, and since there are no refunds by host teams, there will be no refunds for registered athletes who cannot attend for any reason.

See our Join the Team Q & A blog post FAQ responses.

Annual Training Membership

The Annual Training Membership (ATM) is a year-round training package for committed runners aiming to compete at their most optimal level of performance. The Annual takes the place of a Runcard, enabling your child to attend any and all training sessions. If your child plans to attend both Winter Training and Summer Training, as well as training sessions in the spring and fall months, the Annual is the most economical way to go. Please talk with your child to gauge their desire and commitment level before purchasing. See below for rates:

• Currently in grade 9, 10, or 11 - $999

• Currently in grade 8 - $1,299

• Currently in grade 5, 6, or 7 - $1,599

• Currently in grade 12 - since our child will be graduating in June, there is no need to purchase an Annual Training Membership. A Winter Training registration or Runcard will still be required.

• Runners in grades 3-5 are on a case-by-case basis. During Winter Training, most 8-10 year old runners will train on Monday & Wednesday evenings only.

• Rates include team registration fee (if your child is an Annual member, racing is implied).

The varying rates reflect contact time. 9th-12th grade runners may perform all off-season and pre-season workouts with Whisper, then they train and compete with their school program once their seasons officially begin. Once their season(s) conclude, they may then resume with Whisper. 8th grade runners may train and compete with Whisper until the start of their freshman year of high school, at which time they will train and compete solely with their school program. Once their season conclude, they may then resume with Whisper. 5th-7th grade runners may train and compete with Whisper year-round.

Installments are welcomed. Please talk with Coach Dave about payment options.

If there is a financial hardship in your family, please let me know. While I aim to keep Whisper affordable, all kids should have access to participation! Please talk with me (Coach Dave) about payment and/or scholarship options.

uniforms, warm-ups, and travel

Uniforms: Included with season registration. Uniform replacement is $129.

Warm-Ups: The optional warm-up set is $150 and includes a jacket and sweat bottoms.

Travel: One of the many considerations when joining any program is the expense of travel. Parents are responsible for their child’s travel to and from all practice and meet events. The Whisper Calendar may include information on travel, such as meet location, mode of travel, lodging, food options and more, particularly and as we near the JO meets. A sincere effort is made to help reduce costs by seeking team booking discounts at nearby hotels of the events when necessary. Additionally, during the JO season, team dinners are always encouraged, as they provide a time for the runners to get to know one another beyond the sport of running.

The team goal for Whisper is to compete in the USATF or AAU National Cross Country Meet in December and we would love for your child to participate with us! If you have any questions about competing, training, joining the team, or anything else related to Whisper, please contact Coach Dave using the Contact link at the top-right of this page or via email. Thank you!

EXTRA, EXTRA!

2023 in Review: Whisper continues growing post-COVID, with it’s largest contingent of runners reppin’ Whisper at USATF Junior Olympic XC Nationals! See the Year in Review video!

2022 in Review: There’s been a youth movement at Whisper, with a strong contingent of returning runners for Junior Olympics. See the 2022 Year in Review video!

2020 JO’s: 2020 came out swingin’, but Whisper fought back, providing a safe place for training, companionship, personal running challenges, and long-lasting memories. Check out the highlights from 2020, as well as the results from the National USATF JO races!

2019 JO’s: See highlights from the 2019 year of training, racing, and USATF JO experiences, including the final race of the year in Madison, Wisconsin! Click to see Team Whisper results from the Association, Region, and National meets!

2018 JO’s: Check-out the latest video created by Lindsay Owen, highlighting the 2018 year of training, racing, and USATF JO experiences! Click on the respective links to see Team Whisper results from the 2018 Association, Region, and National meets!

2017 JO’s: Check-out the video created by Lindsay Owen, sister of Candi Owen, who was a participant on the 2017 National team! Click on the respective links to see Team Whisper results from the 2017 Association, Region, and National meets!