Spearfish Spartans Cross Country athletes hand out refreshments at Youth Running Series Event in Spearfish, SD.
SPEARFISH, S.D. — The Spearfish Spartans Cross Country team kicked off its 2025 Youth Running Series on Thursday, launching the eighth year of a community event that supports the high school program and inspires the next generation of runners.
Around 35 young athletes participated in the opening night, divided into three age groups. First and second graders ran 1,000 meters, third through fifth graders ran 1,500 meters, and sixth through eighth graders tackled a 2,000-meter course.
Spartans Head Cross Country Coach Andy VanDeest said the goal is to give kids a real taste of what cross country could look like at the high school level.
“It’s about getting kids interested in the running aspect of it,” VanDeest said. “We’ve got some kids hooked in the past. The goal is just to keep kids interested in it and keep them running.”
The series will continue for the next three weeks, leading up to the start of the high school cross country season. At the conclusion of the program, the top athletes from each division will receive prizes. Any youth athletes wanting to join the event can join at any time.
EVENT GALLERY
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