Elementary cross country registration is open, and that means nearly 4,000 kids in grades K-5 will soon be racing on a course near you.

Spokane Public Schools is proud to once again partner with Active4Youth to bring cross country to elementary school kids across Spokane.

Practices begin Sept. 9 at each students' school, and there will be two meets in the fall for each of SPS' five feeder patterns. The All-City race is Oct. 22 for those who qualify.

cross country starting line Active4Youth's partnership is vital for SPS, as the partnership allows the district to offer kids after school activities to keep them engaged in real life experiences. The research is clear: Extracurricular participation improves attendance, academic achievement and overall mental and physical health.

Wil Smith, a graduate of Lewis & Clark High School, went out for cross country when he was a student at Jefferson Elementary School and credited Active4Youth's partnership with SPS as getting him introduced to the world of distance running. Nowadays, Smith is a star runner at Gonzaga University and recently competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials:

Who knows? The next Wil Smith might be on the course this fall running alongside their friends in elementary cross country.

Register here for elementary cross country. You'll need to know your students' ID number to register, and you can look up their ID number here.

Elementary Cross Country gives students a fun after school activity