Come join the fun!

The fall cross-country (XC) season is upon us! Fall XC training begins Monday, August 25, and the first XC meet of the season, the Ultimook Race in Tillamook, is Saturday, September 6!

This fall, we will offer separate training times for beginners and advanced runners.

BEGINNERS: (aka: “Build’em Up Roster): Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:15-5:15pm
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED: Monday-Thursday, 5:30-6:45pm

See our shared Google Sheet for the list of runners and the groups they are in (second tab at bottom titled “Training Rosters”). See the Calendar for training dates, locations, times, and details.

Fall XC training and racing registrations are listed below the meet schedule. 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.

2025 XC Meet Schedule (Click to view athletic.net meet results)
Sat, Sept 6 - Ultimook Race in Tillamook, OR
Sat, Sept 13 - Ash Creek Festival in Monmouth, OR
Sat, Sept 20 - Three Course Challenge in Warrenton, OR
Sat, Oct 4 - HOKA 28th John Payne XC Invite in University Place, WA
Sun, Oct 5 - WSRR Rust Buster in Seattle, WA
Sat, Oct 11 - Max Jensen Invite in Richland, WA
Sat, Oct 25 - Halloween Dash Bash in Vancouver, WA
Sat, Nov 15 - USATF JO Association Meet at Magnuson Park in Seattle, WA
Sat, Nov 22 - USATF JO Regional Meet at Ash Creek (WOU) in Monmouth, OR
Sat, Dec 6 - AAU Nationals in Knoxville, TN (venue location TBD as of 8/6)
Sat, Dec 13 - USATF Nationals in Shelbyville, IN (venue location TBD as of 8/6)

Team Registration is $225

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.

Connect with Coach Dave
Complete the online Waiver & Liability form.
Two training registration options:
1. Annual Training Membership - Most economical, providing access to all training sessions including Winter and Summer Training programs, as well as training in the Spring and Fall months. Membership begins on the day of purchase, expires in 365 days, and may not be refunded.
2. Runcard - Eight training sessions for $149 during spring (Mar-June) and fall months (Aug-Dec). $185 during winter (Jan-Mar) and summer months (June-Aug).
3. Winter Training & Summer Training (OPENS DEC 1 / JUN 1) - Sessions span nine weeks (six weeks for HS runners in the winter). Winter and Summer Training sessions are included in the Annual Training Membership.

If your child would like to compete on the team, see “How to begin competing with Whisper” below.

Annual Training Membership

from $999.00

This registration provides access to all training sessions for 365 days from date of purchase. Whisper training includes running training, mobility and Yoga training, aqua-jogging, nutrition seminars, and a sport psychology curriculum, all within a team atmosphere.

Whisper Running typically offers 4-5 training sessions per week during Winter Training and Summer Training sessions. During the spring and fall months, 3-4 training sessions per week will be offered, plus some weekend meets (separate registration fee).

Registration price reflects the runners current grade:

$1,599: Grades 7 and under at the start of a calendar year may train with Whisper year-round.
$1,599: Grade 8 through December 31.
$1,299: Grade 8 starting January 1, training with Whisper until the start of 9th grade XC season, at which time they will train solely with their HS team until their HS season concludes.
$999: All HS-age runners. 9th-11th grade runners may train with Whisper during their off-seasons, which is November-February, and June-August.

This fee only includes training and does not include:

Registration into track & field and cross-country meets, which will be sold separately
Registration into local road races sponsored by Whisper (Lake to Bay)
Travel expenses (food, hotel, airfare, etc.)
Shoes and running apparel
Uniforms & Warm-Ups

Again, this membership is for training only. Training typically spans 50-52 weeks per year.

Grade:

Spring/Fall Training Runcard

$149.00

Why a Runcard?

For the on-the-go families, the Runcard offers an alternate solution to those wishing to train when their schedule allows. Runcard’s are for runners familiar with Whisper Running group training, offering training two to three times each week during the Spring and Fall months. Check out the calendar page to see if this format works for your families schedule. Training type will be predicated on attendance, ability levels, and training history. One Runcard is good for eight practices. Runcard’s expire three months after the first date of use.

Refund note: barring an injury at the fault of a Whisper employee or practice (i.e., a runner gets tripped-up at practice during intervals and falls, causing an injury, leading to the inability to participate long-term), there are no refunds. If your child cannot attend practice for any reason (i.e., illness, outside obligations, or an injury unrelated to Whisper training/personnel), there are still no refunds.

how to begin competing with whisper

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

Option 1: XC Race Registration (includes XC meets through Nov 15)

$225.00

The XC season registration fee includes a team uniform to use for the season and entry into all meets on our athletic.net schedule through the first USATF Junior Olympic meet (Associations on Nov 15 is included in this fee). Regular season meet fees can range from $10-$25, however, when a large team registers, there is usually a price break (example: “$20/entry, or $300 per team, whichever is less” is very common). Because of this, Coach Dave will handle registration for all regular season meets and USATF Associations.

USATF registration (and possibly AAU registration if your child opts for AAU) is required for season participation and Junior Olympic meets in November and December. Please be sure to complete the age verification process when registering your child with USATF. USATF Junior Olympics includes up to three meets: 1) Associations which everyone may participate in, 2) Regionals which runners must qualify for individually or with a team, and 3) Nationals which runners must qualify for individually or with a team. There are no qualifying rounds for AAU at this time (AAU XC is mostly east coast, and not many coaches in the PNW wish to host a qualifying meet, hence the guaranteed entry into the national AAU meet). AAU registration is only necessary if your child plans to run AAU Nationals in December.

See the Join the Team page for Whisper, USATF, and AAU registrations.

Unreturned uniforms are $129.

Option 2: XC Race Registration (w/a la carte meet registrations)

$49.00

The XC season registration fee includes a team uniform to use for the season and the flexibility for runners to participate in meets based on their (your child’s) availability. With this option, meets are paid separate from this (season registration) in an a la carte manner, where parents will pay the $25 meet fee, connect with Coach Dave to indicate the specific meet at hand (on a week by week basis), and he will then register your child into said meet.

See the Join the Team page for Whisper, USATF, and AAU registrations.

Unreturned uniforms are $129.

XC Single Meet Registration (a la carte)

$40.00

Race/Meet registration for runners participating in a 2025 club cross country meet(s). This registration grants access to XC meets posted on the athletic.net 2025 season calendar.

WHISPER XC SEASON REGISTRATION OPTIONS:
1. The XC season registration fee of $225 includes entry into all meets on our athletic.net schedule through the first USATF Junior Olympic meet (Associations on Nov 15 is included in this fee). Uniforms are included, but must be returned at the conclusion of the season. Unreturned uniforms are $129.
2. The XC season registration fee of $99 includes includes a team issued uniform to use for the season. All regular season meets are $25. Post-season meets are $25, with Nationals being $35 (USATF) or $60 (AAU).
USATF REGISTRATION: If your child would like to take part in the USATF Junior Olympic series (Associations in Seattle, Regionals in Monmouth, Nationals in Shelbyville, IN), they will need to have a USATF membership. Please keep in mind, all youth runners are eligible to participate in Associations, but runners must qualify from Associations into Regionals (top-35 individual or top-5 team, and from Regionals into Nationals. (top-30 individual or top-5 team)
1. Register with USATF (Whisper Team code #36-0310 - $33/year). Upon registering, age verification is mandatory if your child would like to participate in USATF meets in November. To verify your child’s age, select “Athlete Verifications” and upload a copy of their birth certificate or passport.
AAU REGISTRATION (after Sept 1): If your child will be participating in the AAU National XC Meet on December 6, in Knoxville, TN, they will need to have an AAU membership.
1. Click here to register with AAU
2. Get an Athlete Membership (Athlete Membership). On the application choose the sport, then add club code (UH9SB4ZDF). Check-out, pay for membership ($25)

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

Annual Training Membership

from $999.00

Registration price reflects the runners current grade:

$1,599: Grades 7 and under at the start of a calendar year may train with Whisper year-round.
$1,599: Grade 8 through December 31.
$1,299: Grade 8 starting January 1, training with Whisper until the start of 9th grade XC season, at which time they will train solely with their HS team until their HS season concludes.
$999: All HS-age runners. 9th-11th grade runners may train with Whisper during their off-seasons, which is November-February, and June-August.

This fee only includes training and does not include:

Registration into track & field and cross-country meets, which will be sold separately
Registration into local road races sponsored by Whisper (Lake to Bay)
Travel expenses (food, hotel, airfare, etc.)
Shoes and running apparel
Uniforms & Warm-Ups

Again, this membership is for training only. Training typically spans 50-52 weeks per year.

Grade:

Annual Training Membership

Registration price reflects the runners current grade:

$1,599: Grades 7 and under at the start of a calendar year may train with Whisper year-round.
$1,599: Grade 8 through December 31.
$1,299: Grade 8 starting January 1, training with Whisper until the start of 9th grade XC season, at which time they will train solely with their HS team until their HS season concludes.
$999: All HS-age runners. 9th-11th grade runners may train with Whisper during their off-seasons, which is November-February, and June-August.

This fee only includes training and does not include:

Registration into track & field and cross-country meets, which will be sold separately
Registration into local road races sponsored by Whisper (Lake to Bay)
Travel expenses (food, hotel, airfare, etc.)
Shoes and running apparel
Uniforms & Warm-Ups

Again, this membership is for training only. Training typically spans 50-52 weeks per year.

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!

1-on-1 Session

$60.00

The goals for one-on-one training sessions include:

Teach the fundamentals of foot strike, efficiency, and rhythm
Perform general workout highlighting work and rest intervals
Integrate at least one Psychological Skill, likely Goal Setting
Provide a sense of achievement and potential

In order to achieve these objectives, we will review and discuss the athletes current statistics based on the results posted onto athletic.net. Next, we will perform a general warm-up including drills, a workout and a cool-down. The next phase, post one-on-one sessions, is to integrate the athlete into regular group training sessions.

1-on-1

The goals for one-on-one training depend on the need of the client. Most sessions include the review of foot strike fundamentals and body positioning through video analysis, a light workout so we can practice these fundamentals, and drills to work on throughout their time running.

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!