Thank you for your interest in being part of the Lightning Family. Please click the yellow tab link to register.

If you want to read more about our programs, please read below.

Gracias por su interes en ser parte de Lightning. Favor de presionar el enlance amarilla para la forma de registracion.

Si le guaria aprender mas sobre el programa, puede leer mas.

Common Questions

1) Where does lighting practice?

- Lightning has three sites, one in Santa Ana, Long Beach and Orange. The site in Santa Ana works with the City of Santa Ana Parks and Recreation and reserves the local parks and tracks. The site in Orange works with the Orange Unified School District and practices at a local school. 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 money received is donations, and the donations for each season (six months) per runner is $200.00 for either track or cross-country. Lightning also offers monthly payment plans and scholarships.

3) What types of events and activities does Lightning do?

-Lightning focuses on recreational, developmental training and competitive racing. During the track season, Lightning focuses mostly on long-distance running, such as the 1500 and the 800 meters. For Cross-Country, the distance depends on the athlete’s age.

4) What are the times for practice?

-Practice during the week is from either 5:30 pm or 6:00 pm, it depends on the month and season. On Saturdays, practices are usually at 7:30 am or 8:00 am at a local trail.

5) Does lightning run on trails?

-On the weekends, Lightning practices doing trails or running on the hills in Orange County. Depending on the season, runners will do trails during the week.

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 (January or July) since the training focuses on training cycles.

8) What are the ages for youth?

Youth runners can be ages 5 to 16.

9) Does Lightning travel?

-Yes. Lightning travels to local races in Orange County, to San Diego and Bakersfield, and to national meets for track and cross-country.

10) Does my youth have to compete?

-Lightning offers 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 practices four days per week at 6:00 pm.

2) Recreational: If runners only want to do recreational running, they can join the recreational training at the 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 use training methods that, if followed, help youth improve, and parents and youth can visually see their progress through 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 experience is for the whole family. You can learn more HERE

We are looking forward to creating positive experiences with the Lightning Family.