Alpharetta Raiders Cross Country FAQ


SUMMER MILES:

  1. What is the schedule for the summer?
    The summer running schedule can be found on the website under "Calendar"
  2. Where can I get directions to the summer run locations?
    Directions to the summer run locations and pizza parties will be posted on the website under "Calendar"
  3. How do the morning runs work, do I drop my child off or do I need to wait?
    Your child should be there for the 7:00 a.m. run at the specified location. You can either wait at the site for them to finish, get in a run yourself, or drop them off and return at the time you estimate it will take them to finish. Many families carpool with other families in their neighborhood.
  4. If it is raining, will there still be practice?
    We practice in the rain but not in lighting or thunder. If the practice is at school then we will practice in the gym.
  5. Does my child need to log his/her summer miles?
    Yes, the coaches would like to see each runner's summer mileage log at the end of the summer.


SUMMER PIZZA PARTIES:

  1. Can you tell me more about the pizza parties?
    The purpose of the pizza parties is to give the runners a chance to bond and have fun.
  2. How does my child get to the pizza party after the run?
    You will need to arrange your child's transportation to and from the pizza party.
  3. What are the locations of the pizza parties, and should my child bring a swimsuit?
    The pizza parties are hosted by volunteers at their homes or neighborhood pools, so locations will vary as well as whether or not there will be a pool available. To be safe, your child can bring their swimsuit just in case. If you would like to host a party, please let us know! Pizzas are provided. We greatly appreciate our volunteer host/hostesses.


REGISTRATION:

  1. How do we register?
    Registration requires filling out a packet of forms and submitting a registration fee to one of the coaches. The registration packets can be obtained 1 of 3 ways:
    • There is always a kickoff meeting for Cross Country at AHS in the spring while school is still in session. Packets are available at that meeting.
    • You can arrange to pick up a packet from one of the Cross Country Coaches.
    • You can pick up a packet at the front office at AHS while school is still in session.
  2. What is the registration deadline?
    Please submit your registration forms and fee as soon as possible. Mandatory practice begins in August, and your child must have their physical form and insurance form turned in before they are allowed to attend a mandatory practice. (A Fulton County rule) Also, if you wait too long, your child may not have their uniform in time for the first meet.


PHYSICALS:

  1. I am not able to get my child in to see their doctor for a physical in time for the deadline, what should I do?
    Publix has "doc in the box" locations where you can walk in.
  2. My child had a physical at the high school last year, is that still valid?
    Physicals are good for one calendar year. If the date of the physical is January 16 2008 then it will expire on January 16 2009. Athletes need a physical that will last the entire season.
    The only exception to this rule is the physical done at the end of the school year at the school. For this year they were done on April 20 2009. They are good for the entire following school year.
  3. Do insurance forms last the entire school year?
    No, AHS requires a new insurance form for each sport.


UNIFORMS:

  1. When will my child get their uniform?
    Uniforms will be distributed to the group prior to the first meet, usually at the Kickoff Breakfast and Meeting. You will need $50 deposit check to receive your uniform. The check will not be cashed unless the uniform is not returned at the end of the summer.
    Uniforms will be distributed in finishing order from the race at the kickoff breakfast.
    If you registered late, you may not have your uniform in time for the first meet.


PRACTICE QUESTIONS:

  1. What do athletes need for practice?
    Athletes need running shoes, athletic clothes, water bottles (fill them up before you come to practice), and a stop watch.
  2. What times does practice start?
    After school practice starts promptly at 4:00pm. Morning Practice starts at 6:00am. You should be dressed and ready to go in the stadium when practice starts.
  3. When does practice end?
    Generally morning practice ends around 7:00 to 7:15am depending on the workout for the day. Afternoon practices vary by workout. Long run days get out about 6:30; other days generally 5:30 to 6:00pm. The first week or so may run longer since we have more paperwork and teach the kids the routine of practice.
  4. Where do the athletes keep their stuff during the school day?
    Your school locker is the best place to keep your stuff. However girls can store their stuff in a cage inside the locker room and boys can rent a PE locker from Coach Sweet if needed.
  5. Where do athletes change for practice?
    Athletes can change in the Locker Rooms on the lower level of the gym. They can also change in any hallway bathroom.
  6. Where do athletes keep their stuff during practice?
    Athletes should always keep their stuff locked up during practice in their car, school locker or PE locker. Cages are not locked during practice. Athletes should not keep their stuff at the stadium, as it is not always supervised with football/band practice and games after school. Morning practice is a little different since only your teammates are there.
  7. My child may need to stay at school after morning practice what are the locker room/ showers like?
    • The locker rooms have 4 or 5 individual showers with a curtain for privacy.
    • A student must bring their own toiletries. Towels, soap, shampoo, hair dryers, etc., will NOT be provided.
    • Some students go home to shower while others stay and shower at school due to the convenience. It is a personal decision based on your child's level of comfort/modesty.
  8. Are practices at the school?
    Most practices are at the school however some will be a Webb Bridge Park. We will have one bus going from the school and will need car pool parents to help transport others. Parents are asked to pick up athletes at the park on those days.


MEETS:

  1. Do all students run?
    Unless it is specified by the coaches, all students will run at the meets. There is a "Varsity" run, a "Junior Varsity" run, and an "Open" run. The runners that do not qualify for the Varsity or JV run will run in the open race. The coaches will specify if there is no open run, as well as communicating who will run on Varsity and JV and race times.
  2. How do the students get to meets?
    Fulton County Busses will drive athletes to all meets. Fulton County requires all athletes to travel to meet with the team.
  3. Can I or a friend/neighbor drive my child home after the meet, or do they have to ride the bus?
    You can drive your child home after the meet, however you must sign them out at the meet. If you would like for your child to ride home with a friend/neighbor, you must send in a written, signed note with your child and the friend/neighbor must sign them out at the meet.
  4. What is the food situation at meets?
    The team provides snacks for the meets and most meets sell food (and T- Shirts). For most meets we have an express bus that will head directly to the school after the meet ends and another bus that will stop for lunch on the way home.
  5. What should athletes bring to meets?
    We encourage all athletes to wear their team shirts and warm ups to the meet with their uniforms underneath. Spikes or racing shoes and normal running shoes, and extra set of clothes for after the race (including socks), money for extra food or t-shirt (if wanted). Many sleep on the bus and want a pillow and blanket.
  6. How do Parents/friends find the team at the meet?
    The team has two large black tents, these will be our teams home base while at the meet. The kids leave their stuff at the tent while they are racing.


PASTA PARTIES:

  1. Can you tell me more about the pasta parties?
    Similar to the summer pizza parties, the purpose of the pasta parties is to give the runners a chance to bond and have fun. They are held at a runner house the Friday night before each race.
  2. How does my child get to the pasta party?
    You will need to arrange your child's transportation to and from the pizza party.
  3. What are the locations of the pasta parties, and should my child bring a swimsuit?
    The pizza parties are hosted by volunteers at their homes so locations will vary and generally do not have pools. We will let you know if a pool is available along with the directions (see Calendar). If you would like to host a party, please let us know! Pasta is provided. We greatly appreciate our volunteer host/hostesses.