Cranford Youth Track & Field / Cross Country

CRANFORD YOUTH TRACK & FIELD / CROSS COUNTRY

Cranford Recreation & Parks

Our Programs

Three programs, one community. Find the right fit for your athlete.

Fall Season

Cross Country

Ages 6–14  ·  $100

Introduces young athletes to running in a fun, supportive environment. We build endurance, improve form, and develop smart training habits through drills, distance runs, and speed work — great for new runners and veterans alike. Whether your athlete is just starting out or looking to sharpen their skills, our practices are designed to boost stamina, refine technique, and build confidence.

  • Season runs September through early November
  • Tuesdays & Fridays | 5:00 – 6:30 PM  ·  Location TBD
  • Sunday meets at Central Park of Morris County (Lakeland Junior T&F League); events grouped by age
  • Race distances: Age 8: 1600–2000m  ·  Ages 9–10: 2000–3000m  ·  Ages 11–12: 3000m  ·  Ages 13–14: 3000–4000m Distances increase mid-season
  • Age based on athlete's age as of December 31 (born 2012–2020)
A late fee applies after August 31st — register now to avoid it!
Register for Cross Country
Spring Season

Spring Track & Field

Ages 9–15

Sprints, distance, jumps, and throws — athletes discover their event and sharpen their skills. Weekend Lakeland League meets give runners real competitive experience in a supportive team setting.

  • Season runs mid-March through early June
  • Mon, Wed & Fri | 6:30 – 8:00 PM
  • Age eligibility based on athlete's age as of December 31
Registration Opening Winter 2026 — join the waitlist/email list
Spring Season

Clinic Track & Field

Ages 6–8

A perfect first step into athletics. The clinic program introduces our youngest Cougars to running, jumping, and throwing fundamentals in a fun, low-pressure environment built for beginners.

  • Runs alongside the Spring Track & Field season
  • Mon, Wed & Fri | 6:30 – 8:00 PM
  • Age eligibility based on athlete's age as of December 31
Registration opening soon — join the waitlist

All age eligibilities are based on the athlete's age as of December 31 of the current year.
Questions? Contact us or visit our FAQ page.

Cross Country · Fall 2026

Season Schedule & Race Day

Meet dates for the Lakeland Junior Track & Field League, plus start times and distances for every age group.

Meet Dates

September 13 Lakeland Only
September 20
September 27
October 4
October 18
October 25
November 1 Championship — Lakeland Only

Distances & Start Times

Distances marked * increase for all groups starting September 28th.
Age GroupStart TimeDistance
6–8 Boys8:45 am1600 / 2000m*
6–8 Girls9:05 am1600 / 2000m*
9–10 Boys9:25 am2000 / 3000m*
9–10 Girls9:50 am2000 / 3000m*
11–12 Boys10:20 am3000m
11–12 Girls10:50 am3000m
13–14 Boys11:20 am3000 / 4000m*
13–14 Girls11:35 am3000 / 4000m*

Course Videos & Maps

1,600m
Course video
2,000m
Course video
3,000m
Course video
4,000m
Course video
View Virtual Course Maps →

Lakeland Junior Track & Field League, Inc.

Code of Conduct

It is essential for parents, coaches, and officials to encourage youth athletes to embrace the values of good sportsmanship. Adults involved in youth sports events should be models of good sportsmanship and lead by example through fairness, respect, and self-control.

The Pledge

I therefore pledge to be responsible for my words and actions while attending, coaching, volunteering, or participating in Lakeland League events and shall conform my behavior to the following code of conduct:

  1. I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee.
  2. I will not encourage my child, or any other person, to engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee.
  3. I will not engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee.
  4. I will not encourage my child, or any other person, to engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee.
  5. I will not use drugs or alcohol while at a youth sports event and will not attend, coach, volunteer, or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  6. I will not permit my child, or encourage any other person, to use drugs or alcohol at a youth sports event and will not permit my child, or encourage any other person, to attend, coach, volunteer, or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  7. I will not engage in the use of profanity.
  8. I will not encourage my child, or any other person, to engage in the use of profanity.
  9. I will treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or ability.
  10. I will encourage my child to treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or ability.
  11. I will not engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee.
  12. I will not encourage my child, or any other person, to engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee.
  13. I will not initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee.
  14. I will not encourage my child, or any other person, to initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee.

Disciplinary Action

By attending a Lakeland League event, I agree that if I fail to conform my conduct to the foregoing, I will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to the following, in any order or combination:

  1. Verbal warning issued by the league.
  2. Written warning issued by the league.
  3. Suspension or immediate ejection from event issued by a league official.
  4. Suspension from multiple events issued by a league official.
  5. Season suspension or multiple season suspension issued by the league.
By attending Lakeland League events, all parents, coaches, athletes, and attendees agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.