Healthy Kids Running Series Spring 2026 - West Chester, PA

Elevate your cross country fitness at the Chester County XC Camp! Join us during the first week of August to train with the best runners and coaches in the local area. Athletes can expect to explore scenic locations, fine-tune their skills, and prepare for a breakthrough season. Don't miss out - register now to secure your spot and take your running to the next level!

With a focus on preparing you for the upcoming season, this camp offers a unique opportunity to improve overall fitness while learning more about the sport. Throughout the week, we will explore a variety of scenic locations, providing an inspiring backdrop for our training sessions. By training alongside some of the best runners in Chester County, you'll have the chance to learn from their expertise and improve your performance this fall.

Our experienced coaches are dedicated to helping you reach your full potential. They will provide personalized guidance, tailoring the training program to your individual needs and abilities. From technique and strategy to mental fortitude and race preparation, our coaches will cover all aspects of cross country running.

The camp is designed for athletes of all skill levels, whether you're a seasoned competitor or new to the sport. By participating in challenging workouts, informative discussions, and engaging activities, you'll gain valuable insights and skills to help you make the jump this fall. To ensure a consistent experience, the camp is open to participants in 3rd grade and above who can comfortably run at least a mile without stopping.

XC Camp Schedule / Locations: Please note location changes.

Monday (7:00 AM - 9:30 AM): Downingtown West High School at the Track

Tuesday (7:00 AM - 9:30 AM):Henderson HS Track (Please park in the student lot)

Wednesday (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Kerr Park in Park, Downingtown

Thursday (7:00 AM - 7:45 AM): Varsity Level Athletes Only - Shake Out Run on your own or with a small group.

Thursday (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Henderson for the WC Mile in the evening.

Friday (7:00 AM - 9:30 AM): Henderson High School at the track.

Saturday (7:30 AM - 8:45 AM): Optional Varsity Level Athlete Run - (East Branch Brandywine Trail Parking Lot)

** Entry into the West Chester Mile is included in the camp fee. **

Past Camp Speakers:

• Vince Touey, Widener University

• Teagan Schein Becker, Of the Brooks Beasts 2024 US Olympic Trials Qualifier 800/1500

• Josh Hoey od Adidas-4th place at the 2024 US Olympic Trials.

• Matt Centrowitz, 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist

• Leo Manzano, 2012 Olympic Silver Medalist

• Ajee Wilson, 2022 World indoor champion

• Professional Athletes: Kyle Merber, Johnny Gregorek, Eric Holt, Ben Allen, Luciano Fiore

• Gary Martin, 3:57 High School Miler

• Francis "Gags" Gagliano, Georgetown University / Professional Coach

• Tom Donnelly, Haverford College

• Colin Leak, West Chester University

• Vince Touey, Widener University

• Pat Castagno, Tatnall

• Bill Coren, Strath Haven

• Jeff Apple, The Move Clinic

• Many other local and national caliber coaches and athletes.

Photos from Denise Trigo.

Photos from Ryan Comstock.

BREAKING NEWS!! We now have a $5000 PA State Record Bonus for the winner if they break Yared Nuguse's PA State Record of 3:51.06 set at this year's Penn Relays!!! The women’s PA State Record time to beat for the $5000 bonus is Mary Slaney’s 4:23.49 from the East Coast Meet of Champions on June 30,1979. Let’s go⚡️⚡️⚡️

Live Results and Heat Sheets

The West Chester Mile is back. Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 13th, as we gather at Henderson High School's renowned lightning-fast track for a day of thrilling races.

To ensure a fair and exciting competition, participants will be divided into heats based on their running abilities. It's crucial to seed yourself correctly to guarantee you're paired with fellow runners of similar skill levels. But the excitement doesn't end with your own race! After your run, make sure to stay and witness some of the fastest races in action. Cheering on these impressive athletes is sure to inspire and electrify the atmosphere.

And what better way to cap off the incredible day than joining us for a vibrant post-race party at the Hotel Warner. Mingle with fellow runners, share your race stories, and celebrate the accomplishments of the day in style. The post race party begins at 8:45pm and will Include free pizza and great drink specials.

Don't miss out on this fantastic event that brings together runners of all levels, from enthusiastic beginners to seasoned pros. The West Chester Mile promises to be an unforgettable experience, so lace up your shoes, embrace the competitive spirit, and let's make this year's event one for the books! See you at the starting line!

** New Give Away ** Registered athletes will get a voucher towards the Cre8tee Customizable T-Shirt Tent on race day, with a variety of shirt options available onsite.

**WC Mile Rate for the Hotel Warner. Go to that link if you want to spend the night.

*If you're planning on spending some time in the area, here is a great "Know before you go" link provided by the Greater Brandywine Valley.

ELITE RACES:

We are offering a prize money pool of more than $6000. Prize money will be exclusively given to male runners who break the 4-minute mark and female runners who break the 4-minute 40-second mark. If you are interested in participating in the elite races, please get in touch with Kevin Kelly via email at [email protected].

This just in-Citizen's Race heat winners will get a Gift Card to Sedona in West Chester.

MEET SCHEDULE AND INFORMATION:

• With approximately 10 heats planned, we've arranged the schedule to save the fastest and most thrilling races for the grand finale.

• History speaks volumes about the caliber of this meet, boasting an impressive record of 24 sub 4:00 miles achieved over the years. The stage is set for yet another year of exceptional performances, and we're thrilled to witness some lightning-fast races once again.

• We are planning an elite 800 meters this year.

• This meet is USATF and World Athletics Sanctioned.

• Spectator tickets can be purchased online for $6. On race day, spectator ticket prices will be $10.

Race Schedule: Please note that the schedule may change when all entries are in. Please check back here on raceday.

6:05 Heat 1 The Wednesday Knights Mile

6:15 Heat 2 The Zajac Group Mile

6:23 Heat 3 The Sedona Tap House Mile

6:31 Heat 4 The Tuesday Morning Crew Mile

6:41 The Bryn Mawr Running Company Elite Men's 800m

6:46 Heat 5 The Mid-Atlantic USATF Mile

6:55 Heat 6 Chester County Tourism Council Mile

7:05 Wood Appraisers Elementary 400

7:10 Heat 7 The Hotel Warner Mile

7:17 Heat 8 The Tolsdorf Oil Lube MIle

7:24 Heat 9-The Chester County Racing Services Mile

7:30 Heat 10-West Chester Running Company Mile

7:39 Brandywine Heating and Air Conditioning Mile Elite Men's Mile

9th Annual 5K Trail Run and One-Mile Move-As-You-Please for Thorncroft!

Save the Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m. Registration opens at 5:00 p.m. Day-of registration welcome!

On Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., Thorncroft Equestrian Center will host our 5K Trail Run and One-Mile Move-As-You-Please for the Farm at Thorncroft, located at 190 Line Road in Malvern, PA.

We invite you back to our beautiful 70-acre property to experience a community health and wellness celebration perfect for the beginner to experienced mover.

After-party includes live music, food trucks (food available for purchase by credit card), Beer Garden, (complimentary for participants 21+) and Pony Meet and Greets in our barn. We welcome you to experience the beauty of the Farm and everything it has to offer to our community. So lace up, stay active, and get ready for another fun neighborhood party!

A celebration of our community and the joy of movement, proceeds from this event will raise funds for the Farm and the care of our horses.

The 5K Trail Run for Thorncroft is a rain or shine event. Leashed dogs welcome!

Photography Policy

Attendance at Thorncroft Equestrian Center programs and events constitutes consent to be photographed for print and electronic media use. Please notify Thorncroft Equestrian Center if you would prefer that your photo not be used.