Come join the fun!

The fall cross-country (XC) season is upon us!  Fall XC training begins Monday, August 24, and the first XC meet of the season, the Ultimook Race in Tillamook, is Saturday, September 5!

To register your child, see “How to begin training with Whisper” below.  To begin racing with Whisper, see “How to begin competing with Whisper.”  See the Calendar for training dates, locations, and times.  2-3 practices per week is ideal, 3-4 is preferred. 

2026 XC Meet Schedule (Click to view athletic.net meet results)
Sat, Sept 5 - Ultimook Race in Tillamook, OR
Sat, Sept 26 - Three Course Challenge in Warrenton, OR
Sat, Oct 3 - HOKA 30th John Payne XC Invite in University Place, WA
Sun, Oct 4 - WSRR Rust Buster in Seattle, WA
Fri, Oct 9 - Rose City Championship Invite in Portland, OR
Sat, Oct 10 - Max Jensen Invite in Richland, WA
Sat, Oct 24 - Halloween Dash Bash in Vancouver, WA
Sun, Nov 1 - Stumptown Youth XC Championship in Monmouth, OR
Sat, Nov 14 - USATF JO Association Meet (Location TBD)
Sat, Nov 21 - USATF JO Regional Meet (Location TBD)
Sat, Dec 12 - USATF Nationals in Lafayette, LA

Season Registration is $299

If you have not done so yet, please add your child’s name to the team roster on our shared Google Sheet. Be sure to place your child in the appropriate age bracket by year of birth (if they are 12 years old and turn 13 on December 31, 2026, then their name should be placed in the 13-14 column.

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.

  1. Connect with Coach Dave

  2. Complete the online Waiver & Liability form.

  3. 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).  Renewable.  No need to purchase if your child is on the Annual.

    3. Winter Training & Summer Training (OPENS DEC 1 / JUN 1) - Sessions span nine weeks (six weeks for HS runners in the winter). No need to purchase if your child is on the Annual.

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

Annual Training Membership Annual Training Membership Annual Training Membership Annual Training Membership
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.

Summer Training Runcard
Summer Training Runcard
$189.00

Why a Runcard?  For families and runners on the go, and only enough time for one to two practices each week during the Summer Training schedule, the Runcard option might serve as a better value. The purchase of this Runcard allows eight (8) practice sessions during the Summer Training season. Summer Training includes additional staffing and facility rentals, hence the reason for the increase in the seasonal Runcard cost.

NOTE: There are no Runcard refunds.  Winter Training Runcards are not accepted. Runcards expire after three months of purchase date, which his ample time to complete a full Runcard. 

 

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 14)
$299.00

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 14 is included in this fee).

USATF registration 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.

Unreturned uniforms are $129.

Option 2: XC Season Registration
$149.00

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 via a la carte, 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.

USATF registration 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.

Unreturned uniforms are $129.

XC Single Meet Registration (a la carte)
$25.00

Race/Meet registration for runners participating in a 2026 club cross country meet(s). This registration grants access to XC meets posted on the athletic.net 2026 season calendar.

  1. WHISPER XC SEASON REGISTRATION OPTIONS (2):

    1. The XC season registration fee of $299 includes entry into all meets on our athletic.net schedule through the first USATF Junior Olympic meet (Associations on Nov 14 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 $149 includes includes a team issued uniform to use for the season. All regular season meets are $25. Post-season meets are $25 (Associations & Regionals) and $35 (Nationals).

  2. USATF REGISTRATION: If your child would like to take part in the USATF Junior Olympic series (Associations in Seattle, Regionals in Yakima, Kennewick, or Spokane, and Nationals TBD), 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.

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

Annual Training Membership Annual Training Membership Annual Training Membership Annual Training Membership
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.

Annual Training Membership

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.

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 1-on-1 Session
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!