Santa Cruz County Youth Run Club
Be a Part of a Team and Community
History & How We Started
Recognizing a Need
As our children started playing organized sports we searched for an organization in the county that supported and encouraged youth running. We were baffled at the number of organizations for team and group sports in the county. There appeared to be a lack of running related teams, organizations and programs for youth.
As multi-faceted athletes ourselves, we know the importance of cross training, functional movement, endurance and strength.
Running makes athletes better! Not only do kids love the endorphin dump from running but it makes them better at other sports, baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, and at school. It improves cardiovascular function, mental health, attention and focus, self esteem, body awareness and social emotional health.
As I was running my kids through workouts for fun on the treadmill at home, it dawned on me that I could easily coach a team of 25 kids through the same workout outdoors.
In Fall of 2022, we launched the first chapter of the Santa Cruz County Youth Run Club at Happy Valley Elementary School. With 75% of the school wanting to be in the club we knew we needed to grow and reach more students because the interest and the need was clearly there.
As we partner with more local businesses and put on more free community events, more opportunity arises for a greater portion of our County's youth.
We are happy to report we are currently taking interest letters to bring the Santa Cruz County Youth Run Club to more schools.
How to Apply to Start a Chapter at your School
Tell us why!
Send us a one page letter via email telling us who you are, what school you are affiliated with, why you want to start a chapter of the Santa Cruz County Youth Run Club to your School. Be sure to include any information you may have gathered such as
-If you have volunteer coaches
- If the school supports bringing the run club to campus
-If your school has a home track
-If the school has any funding available (partial or otherwise)
-The percentage of students who qualify for free school lunch (this is a common qualifier for grant eligibility)
Coaches
Coach Carly Trotter
Coach Katy Lauzier
Raised in Santa Cruz, Carly has dabbled in many sports. She participated in local High School Athletics, shifted to Adventure Sports in College and then distance running and strength training later in adulthood. A self-proclaimed jack of all sports, master of none. Carly can most frequently be found running trails, hiking, strength training and biking with her kiddos.
Katy is a life-long runner, began her journey as a soccer player at age 5. Always in training mode, you'll find her running along West Cliff or on her treadmill. Hoping to inspire kids to live an active lifestyle, she leads by example. This Super-Mom of two wonderful girls, never sits down, is always on the go and motivates all who surround her.