Nittany Track and Field’s youth cross country season kicked off last week with more than 30 runners, but kids age 8 to 18 are still welcome to join.

“The main goal of this program is to create a fun environment for youth to run, to train, improve in endurance and strength, and to learn about cross country as a sport,” organizer Mark Fedkin wrote in an e-mail.

Practices take place near the State College High School Monday through Thursday from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m., and the season lasts until the end of November. Practices include warm-up stretches and drills, distances runs, hill and speed workouts, core exercises, and running games.

All participants have opportunities to race in local and regional youth cross country meets. Fedkin said one of the coaches’ goals for this season is to build age group teams to compete in the AAU District Meet in Frederick, Md. in November.

The program “is a great head start for [kids] before going to school team sports,” Fedkin wrote.

For more details about Nittany Track and Field, visit www.ntfxc.com   or call Fedkin at 814-876-0461.

The Centre Region Youth Cross Country Program hosts a series of free races for kids this month. The races, sponsored by the Nittany Valley Running Club and Centre Region Parks and Recreation, take place Sept. 8, 15, and 22 at Circleville Park.

The emphasis is on fun and exposure to the sport. Walking is permitted and younger children may participate with a parent or older sibling.

Start times and race distances vary by age. For more information, see http://nvrun.com .

Local race results

State College men swept the Hollidaysburg YMCA’s Canoe Creek Sprint Triathlon on Aug. 4. Josh Cone won in 1 hour, 4 minutes, 32 seconds, followed by Paul Fritzsche in 1:05:32 and Erik Scott in 1:07:21.

Daniel Craighead of State College won the Herbie’s Home “Town Loop” 4 miler in Bellefonte on Aug. 18 in 21 minutes, 32 seconds. Michael Spooner of Lock Haven was second in 21:51, and Penn State track standout Sam Borchers was third in 22:34. On the women’s side, Elizabeth Herndon of State College was first in 24:08, followed by Sarah Hobbs of Madison, Wisc. in 28:26 and Anya Gandy of Talent, Okla. in 29:32.

Race calendar

College of Education Cycle-Thon & 5K, Sept. 9, 10 a.m., Chambers Building, Penn State campus. Registration fees: $25 for adults, $20 for college students, and $15 for K-12 students. Website: www.ed.psu.edu/educ/cyclethon.

Mountain Top Area Swimming Pool "Keep the Pool Cool" 5k and Zumbathon, Sept. 15, 9 a.m., Snow Shoe Park. Wheel measured course. Registration fee: $20. Online registration at www.active.com or download a form from http://nvrun.com .

Free to Breathe State College Lung Cancer 5K Run/Walk, Sept. 23, 2 p.m., Tom Tudek Memorial Park. Registration fees: $15 online, $17 mail-in, $20 race day. Packet pick-up available Sept. 21, 5-9 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods in State College. Website: www.freetobreathe.com .

Knights of Columbus State College Adventure 5K, Oct. 7, 1 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 850 Stratford Dr., State College. Registration fees: $18 by Oct. 1, $20 thereafter and on race day. Discounts for families registering together. Free kids races following the 5K. Website: http://nvrun.com .

Aaronsburg Dutch Fall Festival HOPE Fund 5K Run/Walk, Oct. 13, 9 a.m., near the Aaronsburg Post Office. Registration fees: $15 by Sept. 10, $20 thereafter and on race day. Kids race (donation suggested) at 10 a.m. Website: http://pennsvalleyhope fund.com .

Steps to Safety 5K Run/Walk, Oct. 14, 1 p.m., Penn State Blue/White Golf Course, corner of N. Atherton St. and White Course Dr. Website: www.ccwrc.org .

Family Life of Penns Valley 5K Walk/Run, Oct. 20, 9 a.m., 108 Ridge Rd., Centre Hall. Registration fees: $15 by Sept. 28, $20 thereafter ($10/$15 for kids 12 and under). Website: www.fami  lylifeofpennsvalley.org .

Tussey Mountainback 50 Mile Relay and Ultramarathon, Oct. 21, Tussey Mountain Ski Area. Ultramarathon starts at 7 a.m. and first relay wave starts at 8 a.m. USATF certified course. Relay teams can include 2 to 8 runners. Website: www.tussey  mountainback.com .

Give ‘Em 5! Run For Veterans 5 mile run/5K walk, Oct. 28, 1 p.m., Bellefonte Middle School, 100 N. School St. Registration fees: $15 by Oct. 12, $20 thereafter and on race day. Register online at www.active.com   or download a form from http://nvrun.com .

Tara Murray writes a monthly running column for the Centre Daily Times.