For Fall 2023, practices will run Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30pm at various trail locations, beginning Wednesday, September 6 to the week before Thanksgiving break.
At the beginning of each practice kids will be split into different age/ability groups (15-20 kids/group) and at least 2 coaches and several parents will be running with each group at all times. We practice at Lullwater Park, Emory campus. We will vary the runs and trails to make sure children and families get a wide range of exposure to a variety of trail systems and terrain.
September - November
We ask that if you, or your athlete, is not feeling well, please do not come to practice.
Please arrive on time
Practices begin with a warm-up, stretching, and helpful tips. Runners should arrive by 5:30, and MUST be picked up by 6:30 p.m. Runners arriving late should not be merely dropped off at the practice location, as groups will often be departing for the trails within 15 minutes of practice start times.
Be willing and able
The Dekalb Trailblazers is a running club. We understand that many of our young runners will be adjusting to running on trails and are at varying fitness levels. Everyone will get into better shape in due time. As they are able, however, athletes must be able to run at the group’s pace. Walking or dawdling disrupts the group workout and poses a safety concern. Workouts are beginner-friendly but gradually intensify over the course of the season. If a runner is having a hard time keeping up with his / her group, please speak to a coach. Conversely, if a runner is intentionally walking or dawdling for attention, coaches will speak to the runner’s parent and may require the parent to attend the group workout and run with the child so as not to monopolize the coaches’ time and put other runners at risk of getting lost, hurt, etc. On a similar note, once runners are grouped together for workouts they must stay with their coaches until dismissed or placed under the watchful eye of another coach.
Adverse Weather
We plan to run in light rain, but not in heavy downpours, thunder and lightning. Generally, we'll try to make the call as to whether practice will go on as scheduled by 4:00pm through email/texts based on area Doppler weather data, but sometimes communication is not possible. If in doubt, please call 404-803-3017, choose to stay home, or remain close by if you can. Know that we are parents as well, and are watching the radar and moving runners to safety if the weather takes a turn for the worse during practice.
Attire
Runners must be appropriately dressed in workout clothes and running shoes. Don’t feel the need to purchase expensive/high end shoes for your child, but please be aware that they must be athletic shoes suitable for running (i.e., not basketball shoes, sandals, etc). These can be purchased at general sports retailers like Sports Authority, Dick's, etc or at specialty running stores such as Big Peach, Fleet Feet, Phiddipides, etc.
Hydration
We will have a cooler of freezy pops available at the conclusion of each practice. Please have your runner bring a water bottle with his/her name on it.
At the beginning of each practice kids will be split into different age/ability groups (15-20 kids/group) and at least 2 coaches and several parents will be running with each group at all times. We practice at Lullwater Park, Emory campus. We will vary the runs and trails to make sure children and families get a wide range of exposure to a variety of trail systems and terrain.
September - November
- Mondays & Wednesdays, Lullwater Park, Emory campus
We ask that if you, or your athlete, is not feeling well, please do not come to practice.
Please arrive on time
Practices begin with a warm-up, stretching, and helpful tips. Runners should arrive by 5:30, and MUST be picked up by 6:30 p.m. Runners arriving late should not be merely dropped off at the practice location, as groups will often be departing for the trails within 15 minutes of practice start times.
Be willing and able
The Dekalb Trailblazers is a running club. We understand that many of our young runners will be adjusting to running on trails and are at varying fitness levels. Everyone will get into better shape in due time. As they are able, however, athletes must be able to run at the group’s pace. Walking or dawdling disrupts the group workout and poses a safety concern. Workouts are beginner-friendly but gradually intensify over the course of the season. If a runner is having a hard time keeping up with his / her group, please speak to a coach. Conversely, if a runner is intentionally walking or dawdling for attention, coaches will speak to the runner’s parent and may require the parent to attend the group workout and run with the child so as not to monopolize the coaches’ time and put other runners at risk of getting lost, hurt, etc. On a similar note, once runners are grouped together for workouts they must stay with their coaches until dismissed or placed under the watchful eye of another coach.
Adverse Weather
We plan to run in light rain, but not in heavy downpours, thunder and lightning. Generally, we'll try to make the call as to whether practice will go on as scheduled by 4:00pm through email/texts based on area Doppler weather data, but sometimes communication is not possible. If in doubt, please call 404-803-3017, choose to stay home, or remain close by if you can. Know that we are parents as well, and are watching the radar and moving runners to safety if the weather takes a turn for the worse during practice.
Attire
Runners must be appropriately dressed in workout clothes and running shoes. Don’t feel the need to purchase expensive/high end shoes for your child, but please be aware that they must be athletic shoes suitable for running (i.e., not basketball shoes, sandals, etc). These can be purchased at general sports retailers like Sports Authority, Dick's, etc or at specialty running stores such as Big Peach, Fleet Feet, Phiddipides, etc.
Hydration
We will have a cooler of freezy pops available at the conclusion of each practice. Please have your runner bring a water bottle with his/her name on it.