The Santa Ana Lightning:

Cross Country Invitational

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

 SANCTIONED BY: USA-TF

DATE: Saturday, September 27, 2025

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. Additional parking at Jefferson Elementary School: 1522 W Adams St., Santa Ana, CA 92704.

DESCRIPTION: 

·       The Santa Ana Cross Country Invitational is a competitive event for clubs and schools. Depending on the age division, the distances are 1 mile, 2k, 3k, and 4k. The race times may start later, but NOT earlier than listed.

KEY TIMES:

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

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

·       8:10 am-First Youth Race

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

·       1 Mile Youth Race: Combined Boys & Girls 6 yrs & Under: @ 8:10 am

·       2K Race 2: Girls 7-8 yrs @ 8:30 am

·       2K Race 3: Boys 7-8 yrs @ 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 24, 2025, 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: 

·       6 & Under……(1 Mile Run)

·       7-8……(2K Run)

·       9-10…..(3K Run)

·       11-12…(3K Run)

·       13-17…(4K Run)

ENTRY FEE:

·       All Competitive Youth Athletes: $7.00

o   Registration and payment must be made via Athletic.net by the close of registration (9/24/25 at 11:59 pm).

·       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 will be awarded a custom medal to the top 3 for each division race. Only the top 3 finishers will be awarded in the 13-17-year-old combine division.  The top 5 finishers in each division race will receive an Orange County hat.    

·       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.

DISCLAIMER:

This running program is not a school-sponsored activity nor endorsed by any school or district. This is a community-based program through the non-profit organization Lightning Youth Academy.

 For Clubs Register @ Athletic.net:

COURSE MAPS FOR the 1 MILE & 2k