The Santa Ana Lightning:

Cross Country Invitational

1-Mile, 2k, 3k, 4k

SANCTIONED BY: USA-TF

DATE: Saturday, September 26, 2026

INVITE HOST: Lightning Youth Academy/ Lightning Youth Running Club

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

SITE: Thornton Park; 1801 W. Segerstrom Ave. Santa Ana, CA 92704

PARKING: Limited parking at the park. Additional free parking at McFadden Middle School or Jefferson Elementary School: 1522 W Adams St., Santa Ana, CA 92704.

DESCRIPTION: 

·       The Santa Ana Cross Country Invitational is both a community and competitive event open to clubs and schools. Race distances vary by age division and category: 1 mile for the community race, and 2K, 3K, and 4K for youth participants. Race start times may be delayed, but they will not start earlier than scheduled.

KEY TIMES:

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

·       8:00 am- Coaches meeting by the starting line.

·       8:10 am-1 Mile Open Race

·       8:30 am-First Youth Race

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

·       1 Mile Open: Open Race for the community (youth and adults) @ 8:10 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 13-17 yrs @ 11:15 am

REGISTRATION:

·       Entry Deadline is Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 11:59 pm on Athletic.net

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

·       No late or same-day registrations

·       All participants must complete the USA-TF waiver in order to participate in this event.

AGES DIVISIONS & DISTANCES: 

·       Open Race…...(1 Mile Run)

·       8 & Under……(2K Run)

·       9-10…..(3K Run)

·       11-12…(3K Run)

·       13-17…(4K Run)

ENTRY FEE:

·       All Youth Athletes: $7.00

o   Registration and payment must be made on the day of the race, on 9/26/26, at the packet pick-up. Payment can be made via cash or a 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 observe the flow of the meet and get your runners to the line at the appropriate time. 

INDIVIDUAL & TEAM AWARDS:

·       Individual awards: a custom medal will be awarded to the top 3 for each division race. Only the top 3 finishers will be awarded in the 13-17-year-old combine division. Ribbons will be given to the 4th-place finisher and the rest of the runners in the race.    

·       Team awards will be awarded to the top 3 teams for each division. Only the top 3 teams will be awarded in the 13-17 combined division.

 TEAM SCORING

·       The top 5 will score points in all divisions.

·       The top 3 team will get a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place award.

Register @ Athletic.net:

Course & Parking Maps