Lightning at the Beach

Cross-Country Invitational

Open 4K, 2k, 3k, 4k

SANCTIONED BY: USA-TF 

DATE: Saturday, November 7, 2026 

INVITE HOST: Lightning Youth Academy/ Lightning Youth Running Club

CONTACT: Coach Cholula at (714) 699-3345 or cholula@lyacademy.org 

SITE: Central Park; 6622 Lakeview Dr., Huntington Beach 92648

PARKING: You can park on Central Park Dr. or in the parking lot on Golden West. 

DESCRIPTION:  

The Lightning at the Beach Cross Country Invitational is a competitive event for clubs, schools, and community in Huntington Beach. This meet may help youth athletes prepare for the USA-TF Association meet the following week by building confidence and providing valuable race experience. Race distances vary by age division and category:  4K Open race for adults, 2K, 3K, and 4K races for youth participants. Race start times may be delayed, but races will not begin earlier than scheduled.

KEY TIMES: 

• 7:00 am– Team packet & individual bib pick up begins  

• 7:50 am- Coaches meeting by the starting line.

• 8:00 am-Open & Masters 

• 8:30 am- First Youth Race

DISTANCE, SCHEDULE & AGE DIVISION: Times may start later but NOT earlier.

• 4K Open: Open Race @ 8:00 am

• 2K Race 2: Girls 8 & under @ 8:30 am

• 2K Race 3: Boys 8 & under @ 8:50 am  

• 3K Race 4: Girls 9-10 yrs @ 9:10 am

• 3K Race 5: Boys 9-10 yrs @ 9:35 am

• 3K Race 6: Girls 11-12 yrs @ 10:00 am

• 3K Race 7:  Boys 11-12 yrs @ 10:25 am 

• 4K Race 8: Girls 13-17 yrs @ 10:50 am

• 4K Race 9: Boys 13-18 yrs @ 11:15 am
  

REGISTRATION: 

• Entry Deadline is Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 11:59 pm on Athletic.net

• Registration is for all participants, clubs, and schools. Register via Athletic.net. 

  • Link to register: All participants must complete the USA-TF waiver in order to participate in this event.  https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/287980/info    

  • https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/287980/register 

AGES DIVISIONS & DISTANCES:  

• Open Race…...(4K Run)

• 8 & Under……(2K Run)

• 9-10…..(3K Run)

• 11-12…(3K Run)

• 13-18…(4K Run)

ENTRY FEE: 

• Open race: $10.00 

• All Youth Athletes: $7.00 

  • Registration and payment must be made on the day of the race, on 11/7/26, at the packet pick-up. You may pay in cash or by team check. 

• Registration and entry fees are non-refundable  

• Pick up bibs and Packets: 7:00 am on Saturday at the registration table. 

MEET RESULTS: 

• Results will be available live through SoCal Timing and Athletic.net live results.  Final meet results will be posted online through Athletic.net

• All registered participants will have a bib number and will have an official timing result.

CHECK-IN: 

• All participants must check in at the start line. Please follow the meet flow and get your runners to the line at the appropriate time.  

INDIVIDUAL & TEAM AWARDS:

• Individual awards will be awarded a custom medal to the top 3 for each division race. Only the top 3 finishers will be awarded in the 13-18-year-old combined division.  

 TEAM SCORING:

• The top 5 will score points in all divisions. 

Register @ Athletic.net:‍ ‍

Course & Parking Maps