The Lightning Youth Academy
Lightning Youth Running Club
Welcome to Lightning Family
Lightning Youth Academy/Lightning Youth Running Club founded in 2022 is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that inspires and empowers youth to live a healthy lifestyle through running, achieving, and learning about mental health awareness no matter the skill level. At Lightning, we focus on developing youth runners, and we offer opportunities to create meaningful experiences through recreational training and/or competition at a national level.
Lightning Youth Academy y Lightning Youth Running Club es una organización de 501(c) (3) con la misión de ayudar y enriquecer a los niños/ñas y jóvenes corredores en su estilo de vida y futuro a través del aprendizaje y el logro. En Lightning, desarollamos corredores, ofrecemos la oportunidad de aprender el atletismo y competir al nivel nacional.
Lightning offers 2 SEPARATE programs:
The Youth Academy and The Running Club
Youth Academy
Lightning Youth Academy
Recreational 8 Week Session
Registration is through the City of Santa Ana.
Not competitive
Held at Jerome Park 5:00pm - 6:00pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays
March - May 2025
August -September 2025
$40.00
More info here: https://lightningyouthacademy.org/recreational-running
Register here: https://secure.rec1.com/CA/santa-ana-ca/catalog
Youth Running Club
Lightning Youth Running Club Competitive Team
Track Season and Cross Country (XC) Seasons
Participation in Fun Runs, AAU and USATF Meets
Practice Locations vary: Memorial Park, Haster Basin Park, Willard Intermediate School, Thornton Park, Edna Park. 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Cost: $150.00 for Track Season and $150 for XC Season
MORE INFORMATION BELOW
“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do; it comes from overcoming what you thought you couldn’t.” – Unknown
“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do; it comes from overcoming what you thought you couldn’t.” – Unknown
Lightning Youth Running Club
is a youth distance running club competing in DISTANCE events.
Our year is divided into 2 seasons: Track and Cross Country (XC). Lightning Youth Running Club participates in Recreational Meets/”Fun Runs” as well as Highly Competitive AAU and USATF Meets
TRACK SEASON is from January to June. Training begins January and competitive meets begin March.
We focus on the 800m, 1500m, 3000m Track events.
Please note the 3000m is only for runners over 11 years old.
Track meets are held on weekends
The 3000m usually being Saturday morning
The 1500m usually Sunday morning
The 800m often on Sunday afternoon
We also do local fun runs:
The Kids Run the OC & Santa Ana 5K
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USATF (United States of America Track & Field) and AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) are both involved in track and field in the United States, but they serve different roles. USATF is the national governing body for track and field, cross country, road running, and race walking, while AAU is a multi-sport organization (such as tennis, hockey, basketball) that also includes track and field.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
USATF sets standards, governs events, and represents the USA in international track and field competitions such as World Championships and the Olympics.
The AAU is a non-profit organization that provides sports programs for all ages and focuses on grass-roots participation and development. They offer track and field programs for youth and adults.
To participate in AAU and USATF competitions runners must have a membership.
USATF membership is good from January to December while AAU membership is good from Sept 1 to August 31.
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Pacific Coast Shockwaves #1 March
Chino Pumas Track Meet April
Free Spirit Invitational April 12-13
Imani Track Meet April 26,27
LA Jets May
Pacific Coast Shockwaves #2 May
USATF Association Race (Qualifying time required)
USATF Regionals (For top 8 finishers of Association Race)
USATF Nationals (must qualify from Regionals)
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These runs do not require USATF or AAU membership.
Bell Gardens Kids Run and 5k
10 East Invitational (Preseason Meet)
Santa Ana Track Meet
Kids Run OC
SCMAF Meets
Fullerton Jackrabbits Distance Carnival
Lynwood 5k
Santa Ana 5k
CROSS COUNTRY (XC) Season is from July to December. Training begins July and competitive XC meets begin early September.
UNLIKE Track, Cross Country events are held in various terrain including dirt, grass and hills.
AGE AND DISTANCE:
6 and under run 1 mile (~1.6k)
7-8 years old run 2k Race
9-10 years old run 2k Race
11-12 years old run 3k Race
13-17 years old run 5k race
-
USATF (United States of America Track & Field) and AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) are both involved in track and field in the United States, but they serve different roles. USATF is the national governing body for track and field, cross country, road running, and race walking, while AAU is a multi-sport organization (such as tennis, hockey, basketball) that also includes track and field.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
USATF sets standards, governs events, and represents the USA in international track and field competitions such as World Championships and the Olympics.
The AAU is a non-profit organization that provides sports programs for all ages and focuses on grass-roots participation and development. They offer track and field programs for youth and adults.
To participate in AAU and USATF competitions runners must have a membership.
USATF membership is good from January to December while AAU membership is good from Sept 1 to August 31.
-
Pacific Coast Shockwaves #1 March
Chino Pumas Track Meet April
Free Spirit Invitational April 12-13
Imani Track Meet April 26,27
LA Jets May
Pacific Coast Shockwaves #2 May
USATF Association Race (Qualifying time required)
USATF Regionals (For top 8 finishers of Association Race)
USATF Nationals (must qualify from Regionals)
-
These runs require USA-TF or AAU membership.
USA-TF Association
USA-TF Regionals
USA-TF Nationals
AAU Regionals
AAU Nationals
Our Seasons
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Track & Field
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Cross Country
Important Links of Information
What’s Next?
1) Please download the WhatsApp application. We use this application to provide updates.
Please contact Coach Cholula to be part of the WhatsApp group.
Common Questions
1) Where does the lighting practice?
- Lightning has two sites, one in Santa Ana and the other in Long Beach. The site in Santa Ana, works with the City of Santa Ana Parks and Recreation and reserve the local parks and tracks. Practice locations depend on the day of the week and the workout type.
2) What is the fee?
- Lightning offers a FREE two week try out for new runners. At Lightning, we do not want money to be a barrier. All the money received are donations and the donation for each season (six months) for each runner is $150.00. Lightning also offers monthly payments plans and scholarships. You can learn more HERE
3) What types of events and activities does Lightning do?
-Lightning focuses on recreational training competitive racing . During the track season, Lightning focuses in mostly in long distance running. For Cross-Country, the distance depends on the age.
4) What are the times for practice?
-Practice during the week is from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. On Saturdays, practice is at 7:30 am.
5) Does lightning do running on trails?
-On the weekends, Lightning practices doing trails or running on the hills in Orange County, mostly on Saturdays.
6) How can we support Lightning since it is a non-profit organization?
-Individuals and companies can support our program through Zeffy. Since Lightning Youth Academy is a non-profit organization, the donations are tax-deductible.
7) When can my youth join Lightning?
-Youth can join any time during the year. It is best to join at the beginning of each season since the training focuses on training cycles.
8) What are the ages for youth?
Youth runners can be ages 5 to 17.
9) Does Lightning travel?
-Yes. Lightning does travel to local races in Orange County to San Diego, Bakersfield, and a national meets for track and cross country.
10) Does my youth have to compete?
-Lightning offer two options:
1) Competing: If youth want to be part of the competing team, then the youth will join the Lightning Youth Running Club and this team practice four days per week at 6:00 pm.
2) Recreational: If runners, only want to do recreational running, runners can join the recreational training at Jerome center. Lightning works with the city of Santa Ana Parks and Recreation to provide 8-weeks of recreational training in the spring and summer.
11) Is practice required?
-Runners will improve as much as they train. At Lightning, we have training methods that, if they follow the program and training, youth will improve, and parents and youth will visually see their progress based on personal records.
12) Does Lightning go camping?
-On a yearly basis, Lightning partners with Camp Morning Star near Big Bear to provide the experience of a full camp experience. The camping is for the whole family. You can learn more on the home page.
Onboarding Meeting
