Valley Vikings Cross Country Team
Welcome to the home of the Valley Vikings Cross Country Team where grit, determination, and team spirit come together on every trail.
Led by dedicated coaches and driven by a passion for running, the Valley Vikings are proud to represent our school and community across all levels of competition.
Our runners embody the Viking spirit: relentless, resilient, and always ready to rise to the challenge. More than just a team, we are a family that supports one another both on and off the course.
We run for the challenge. We run for the team. We run for Vikings.
Coach Robert Radke
Head Coach of Valleys Cross Country team
Cross Country Season Info – Fall 2026
All practices and meets are tentative to school schedule
First Day of Practice: August 1st
Last Day of Season: Last Meet TBD (between October 26th - Nov 5th)
Practice Location: Valley Middle School Field and Track
Practice Schedule
Mondays: 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Tuesdays: 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Thursdays: 1:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Note: No practice on meet days. Some practices may include trail runs off campus. Parents will be notified in advance.
Gear & Jerseys
Jerseys will be handed out on September 15th.
Wear jerseys to all meets and picture day.
Do not wear jerseys to practice.
Wash cold, gentle cycle. Air dry preferred.
Return jersey on the last day of season
Replacement Fee: $75 if jersey is lost.
Participation Info
Practices and meets are NOT mandatory, but regular attendance supports:
Athletic improvement
Team camaraderie
A more fulfilling season experience
Participation in meets may depend on practice attendance or performance.
Transportation & Communication
Transportation is not provided to and from meets (except Mt. SAC).
Families may organize carpools via the team communication app.
Athletes should arrive 15–30 minutes early to each meet for warm-up.
Tentative Meet Schedule
All dates & times subject to change.
All Meet Information and Dates are Subject to Change
BIG 8 XC Meet #1 (details unconfirmed)
Date: Thursday September 17th, 2026
Time: 4pm - 6pm
Location: San Dieguito Lower Park
Address: 1628 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Del Mar 92014 (Enter on El Camino Real)
BIG 8 XC Meet #2 (details unconfirmed)
Date: Thursday, September 24th, 2026
Time: 4pm - 6pm
Location: San Dieguito Sports Complex
Address:2275 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad 92009
Grit N Grind
Date: Saturday, September 26th, 2026
Times:
12:15 PM: Middle School Varsity Boys
12:30 PM: Middle School Varsity Girls
12:50 PM: Middle School JV Boys
1:10 PM: Middle School JV Girls
Moonlight Beach Meet (details unconfirmed)
Date: Thursday, October 8th, 2026
Time: 4pm - 8pm
Location: Moonlight Beach
Address: 400 B Street, Encinitas 92024
BIG 8 XC CHAMPIONSHIP MEET (details unconfirmed)
Date: Thursday, October 15th, 2026
Location: San Dieguito Sports Complex
Address: 2275 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad 92009
Time: 4pm - 6pm
Mt. Sac Invitationals (Invite only top 7 Boys and top 7 girl runners)
Date: Friday, October 16th, 2026
Info on Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational Home - RUNMTSAC.com
Eagles XC
Date: Friday, October 23rd, 2026
Click here for Location of Eagle XC Meet
Eagle XC Invitational - Meet Info - Cross Country Meet
UC Hoka Postal 2 Miles
Date: Saturday, October 31st, 2026
Financial Aid
Cost of the season is $250 if you need financial aid please apply via our site on the top right. We will contact you once sent with information on what aid you qualify for.
Athlete Expectations
For Practices:
Running shoes
Athletic shorts & T-shirt
Water bottle
Restroom available for changing
For Meets:
Cross Country jersey
Running shorts & shoes
Water bottle
Athlete Behavior Expectations
All student-athletes are expected to demonstrate respect, effort, and good sportsmanship at all times. Our core behavior guidelines include:
Respect Coaches, Teammates, and Opponents
Treat others how you want to be treated. Disrespectful behavior, including teasing or put-downs, will not be tolerated.Give Full Effort
Cross Country is a mental and physical sport. Show up with a positive attitude and be ready to push yourself.Follow Directions
Athletes must listen during warm-ups, drills, and meets to ensure everyone stays safe and organized.Be On Time
Arriving late disrupts the flow of practice and may limit participation that day.Take Responsibility
Come prepared with appropriate gear, water, and your jersey on meet days. Take care of your uniform throughout the season.Support Each Other
Cheer for your teammates. Celebrate effort, not just wins. Encourage newer runners and help create a positive team atmosphere.
💡 Note: Repeated violations of these expectations may result in limited participation in practices or meets, or removal from the team.
Team Communication: TeamSnap
We will be using TeamSnap as our central hub for all team communication this season. This includes:
What You’ll Use TeamSnap For:
Practice & Meet Reminders
View the full calendar of practices and meets, including start times, end times, and any updates.Real-Time Alerts
Get instant notifications if practices are canceled due to weather or if meet times change.RSVP to Meets
Let coaches know if your athlete is available for an upcoming meet — this helps us build race rosters in advance.Carpool Coordination
Families can post in the chat or availability section to organize rides.Direct Messaging
Reach out to coaches directly or chat with other parents in a secure, team-only space.
How to Join:
You’ll receive an invitation to your registered email address once your athlete is officially signed up.
Download the TeamSnap app (iOS or Android) or visit www.teamsnap.com on desktop.
Log in using the email you registered with, set your preferences, and you’re ready to go.
If you haven’t received your invite within a few days of registering, please contact us athletics@bgccarlsbad.org
Tips for a Great Experience:
Enable notifications so you don’t miss important updates.
Keep your RSVP status up to date, especially for meets and the final celebration event.
Update your contact info if anything changes during the season.
🌦️ Weather Policy
The safety of our athletes is our top priority. Our policy for inclement weather is as follows:
Rain: Practice will continue in light rain unless field conditions are unsafe or the district closes the facility. If practice is canceled due to heavy rain or lightning, parents will be notified via the team communication app at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled practice time. We aim for notifying parents at noon if will have practice or not.
Excessive Heat: If the temperature exceeds 90°F, practice duration may be shortened, or a modified indoor workout may be implemented. Athletes will be encouraged to drink water frequently and rest as needed.
Air Quality: We monitor AQI levels. If AQI is above 100, outdoor practice will be modified or canceled.
Cancellations: All notifications will be posted through the team snap, so please make sure your notifications are turned on.
Running was an instrumental part of Coach Rob's youth. It taught him the value of hard work and provided him with the discipline and focus to succeed both on and off the course. After wrapping up a 23 year software engineering career, Rob now seeks to motivate and inspire this country’s next generation of leaders through youth sports coaching. During his tenure at Valley Middle School, the Track and Cross Country teams have won numerous team and individual awards and every athlete has been challenged to become faster, stronger and tougher.