Come join the fun!

The 2025 XC season commences in Tillamook, Oregon, at the annual Ultimook Race, where the runners of Whisper will race alongside runners from around the PNW! Check out the Ultimook video for a preview of what’s to come! 

Fall XC training and racing registrations are listed below. Fall training dates, locations, and times will be posted on the Calendar by August 1. 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 (Tentative) Schedule (Click to view athletic.net meet info)
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 in Seattle, WA
Sat, Nov 22 - USATF JO Regional Meet in Monmouth, OR
Sat, Dec 6 - AAU Nationals in Knoxville, TN (location tentative as of 7/11)
Sat, Dec 13 - USATF Nationals in Shelbyville, IN (location tentative as of 7/11)

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.

how to begin competing with whisper

(registration begins July 1)

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

1. WHISPER XC SEASON REGISTRATION: ($225 - begins July 1). 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).  Uniforms are included, but must be returned at the conclusion of the season. Unreturned uniforms are $129. 

2. 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 USATF meets in November.  To verify your child’s age, select “Athlete Verifications” and upload a copy of their birth certificate or passport.

3. AAU REGISTRATION: If your child will be participating in the AAU National XC Meet, 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 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.

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

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!

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!