Come and run with us: Winter Cross Country is back!

Cross Country with Yarra Ranges Athletics

When: Each Saturday @ 8.45am. Usually the last race is finished by 10.30am.

The cross country season concludes – Sept 11th at our Presentation morning.

See the Calendar for More Details

Where: Cross country venues change each week. We rotate the following four local venues

  • Morrison Reserve, Mt Evelyn
  • Lillydale Lake, Lilydale
  • Margaret Lewis, Coldstream
  • Elizabeth Bridge Reserve, Kilsyth

How far do they run? Junior ages have a defined distance for their official race. Athletes and parents can run in more than 1 race if they choose. The race distances are:

  • U6, 500m
  • U7-U8, 1000m
  • U9-U10, 1500m
  • U11-U12, 2000m
  • U13 to Open 3000m         

How does it work? We meet at the race venue, gather for any updates and announcements, take all athletes for a warm-up. Races are completed in order of the distances from the 500m first. If young athletes need an older athlete to run with and support them, that is Ok. Parents are encouraged to participate!!

Courses are marked with flags and marshals are positioned in areas that need direction. We have “Hares and Tortoises” to lead and follow each race.

Races are recorded and times kept for measuring Personal Best by venue. As each is different, times between venues are not easily compared.

Running is using parklands and can include running across grassed areas or gravel pathways. The only equipment needed is weather suitable clothing. Comfortable shoes and running attire. YRA club gear is suitable but not compulsory.

All registered Little Athletics athletes are already eligible to run Cross Country. Parents and family members of registered athletes are welcome to participate.

Anyone else who would like to run with us is also welcome. After a trial, they are asked to either formally register or join as a “Club 43” social member. The main difference is that registering with Little Athletics makes the athlete eligible for Region and State Competitions.

Parents will be required to assist from time to time with either timing, marshalling or recording. The workload is light when shared around.

What does it cost? What do you get? 

2 WEEKS FREE TRIAL!!

New athletes can come and try cross country for free for their first two weeks.

Athletes already registered with Little Athletics have no extra registration fees.

Athletes registering for only Cross Country can formally register with Little Athletics for $80, this covers the season of racing, access to entry at Region and State Championships, plus injury insurance.

Athletes only wanting to run in our local Yarra Ranges Athletics races, can join Club 43, $25 or $50 for a family.

Weekly $1 kids, $2 adults ‘gold coin’, to help contribute to the PB choccy frogs and trophy Presentation Day.

Courses are marked and marshalled. Results are recorded weekly. Coaching available.

More information required: Email to info@yarrarangeathletics.org.au or ask on the YRA Facebook Group (lots of experienced families can help with queries).

What about club team adult races: 

Come and race for Yarra Ranges Athletics team

Athletes aged from 12yrs+ can also compete in the statewide Athletics Victoria competition. 10 rounds in different locations. Junior U14 to U20 have age based distances. Open Age races also have Masters categories in 40+.  

Relays, road races, Cross Country.  Open distances from 6km to 21km. Junior distances from 3km to 6km.  

Every runner scores points to contribute to the club score!!  This is running as a team sport.

More details via av@yarrarangesathletics.org.au or the Athletics Victoria site www.athsvic.org.au 

Yarra Ranges Athletics Member Survey

The current YRA Committee would love to hear our members views to assist with decision making and planning around a number of items.

Please get your Little Athletes involved in completing this survey for Section 1 – Club Structure.

Senior Athletes may skip forward to Section 2 – Supporting local business and our athletics community, however we do encourage past Littles who have “grown up” to submit a response about our Clubs structure

Complete the Survey

Latest News

Weekly Newsletter – Apr 20

Australian Track & Field Championships Six very talented Yarra Ranges Athletics athletes represented their state and club at the Australian track & field championships in Sydney last week. These championships showcased most of Australia’s best athletes as they attempted to qualify for the Olympics. Stand out performance came from Kiara Flavel who, placed an impressiveContinue reading “Weekly Newsletter – Apr 20”

Weekly Newsletter – Apr 13

Cross Country Starts This Weekend Always a fun, inclusive and enjoyable morning of running around some of our local parklands. This year we will have new courses to enjoy at Morrison Reserve, Lillydale Lake and Margaret Lewis Reserve, as well as the much loved Durham Rd course. Our opening round will be at Morrison Reserve,Continue reading “Weekly Newsletter – Apr 13”

Weekly Newsletter – Apr 6

Cross Country Starting Soon Week 1 of Yarra Ranges Cross Country is approaching quickly!! April 17th at Morrison Reserve. ALL Welcome – registered athletes, friends, family, young and ‘not so young’. Distances age appropriate 500m for under 6, to 3km for under 13 to Open (adults). However, we encourage everyone to participate in the distance that matchesContinue reading “Weekly Newsletter – Apr 6”

Weekly Newsletter – Mar 30

Season 20/21 Presentation Day Yarra Ranges Athletics celebrated a fantastic end to our 2020-21 track & field season on Sunday. Warm, sunny skies made for a fun family carnival atmosphere at Morrison Reserve. Games on the infield, impromptu races and more bouncy castles than could be used kept everyone entertained. A steady supply of foodContinue reading “Weekly Newsletter – Mar 30”

Training

Our coaches are continuing to offer training through the Winter.

  • Tuesday 5.30pm at Morrison Reserve with Jamie
  • Wednesday 4.00pm at Morrison Reserve with Kate
  • Thursday 5.30pm at Victoria Road Primary School with Jamie and Kate

Susan can be contacted to arrange coaching sessions through the winter.

If you haven’t attended coaching with Yarra Ranges Athletics before, e-mail for more information coaching@yarrarangesathletics.org.au

Athletes of all ages and abilities will benefit from training.

Just like a team gets together to refine their skills and disciplines, so too can our athletes develop and improve with supervised training by our coaches.

Competition Days are busy and fast paced. It can be very difficult – no matter how hard we try – to provide truly effective coaching as events are being run. Athletes don’t get the benefit of repeated focus on their foundation skills and allowing improvement as they master each component of an event.

Our coaches continually work on developing their own skills and strive to ensure athletes are given programs that are both suitable for their age and abilities, while managing the volume of training and competition to avoid injury.

Attending training is another great way to develop friendships with other athletes and families from our club. Our camaraderie is one of our greatest strengths – don’t miss out!!

If you have any questions about the coaching that your athlete can receive contact our coaches by e-mail via coaching@yarrarangesathletics.org.au or follow the link here  for schedules and contact numbers:

AV Squad

The Athletics Victoria Development Squad provides a program for young athletes with a passion for athletics. The primary goal of the squad is to support enthusiastic athletes from under 14 to under 19, as well as their coaches and parents, by extending their knowledge and experience in the sport of athletics. The program provides training, competition, coaching and professional support, as well as the opportunity to meet athletes and other coaches from across the state. Most importantly, the aim is to encourage everyone to enjoy their athletic experience.

View Coaches

Track Hire

Morrison Reserve Regional Athletics Facility is available all year round for bookings.

The multi-purpose venue can host the widest range of events and activities.

Yarra Ranges Athletics can assist with the booking of the venue, as well as equipment hire to make your event possible.

The venue can host the full range of athletics based sport activities on the all weather track, meeting all IAAF specifications. With excellent PA and lighting, you can host the largest crowd for either day or night events. A recently expanded large grandstand will shelter those attending.

Two huge track level shelters ensure officials and athletes have safe spaces while waiting between events.

From October to March, it may be possible to include the pavilion building for your event (additional hire fees apply, subject to availability).

How to book Morrison Reserve in 2021

Venue and equipment are currently two separate hire transactions. Morrison Reserve is a council venue, and is hired through the council. Equipment for your event can be hired from Yarra Ranges Athletics club. If you only need gates opened for your event, a reduced hire fee covers reimbursement for a volunteer to visit and unlock gates for your event.

Contact the Yarra Ranges Council to determine available dates. For booking call 1300 368 333 for Halls and Venues, or complete the online booking request

Contact Yarra Ranges Athletics regarding your equipment needs and other event management advice by e-mailing bookings@yarrarangesathletics.org.au or SMS to Michael on 0403 819 390

We train and compete all year round

• Summer Track and Field • Winter Cross Country and Road

A club for all the family • All Abilities • All Ages • All Welcome

Little Athletics

$170

12 month registration

15% discount for returning members

Under 6 to Under 16

Senior Athletics Victoria Shield

from $95

12 months registration

Under 14 to Open / Masters

Choose your events

Cross Country Season

$80

Winter only

All ages

Distances ranging from 500m to 3000m+

Yarra Ranges Athletics

Founded in 1969, we recently celebrated our 50th anniversary as a club. A very proud achievement.

Do you have questions about our club?

All Registration enquiries should be addressed to the Registrar, Katie Clarke 0403 819 391

join@yarrarangesathletics.org.au

For general information contact

info@yarrarangesathletics.org.au

Postal address:

Yarra Ranges Athletics

P.O. Box 705 Lilydale VIC 3140

The track is located at Morrison Reserve, Mt Evelyn. Melway Ref: 118 C9. Enter via Burdap Drive.