Anniston, AL – The Anniston Runners Club has announced plans to revitalize its Anniston Youth Runners program in 2026, reintroducing opportunities designed to engage children and their families in free, community-focused running activities.
According to the club, the program will include two separate divisions. The first is a monthly mileage initiative that allows young athletes to log and record the number of miles they run throughout 2026 in pursuit of end-of-year goals. The second division is a directly coached youth running program with scheduled meetings from March through July 2026.
Club organizers stated that the coached program will feature skill-building sessions and team-building activities aimed at teaching children teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship within a competitive yet encouraging atmosphere. Participants will meet with instructors on set dates between March 8 and July 2026 to train and foster a lasting interest in running.
The revitalized effort will also encourage involvement in local family-friendly events. The Anniston Runners Club’s Canyon Climb will include a new one-mile fun run in 2026, and the club will continue supporting the Kidstock 1K, described as the youth version of the long-running Woodstock 5K.
Leadership of the coached division will be handled by Coach Hayley Long and Coach Allison Miles. The club reported that both coaches have more than 15 years of experience with the Anniston Runners Club and have previously served on its board. Miles has worked in the Lincoln school system for 19 years, teaches science at Drew Middle School, and spent 11 years coaching cross country at Lincoln High School. Long previously competed with the Atlanta Track Club Master’s Cross Country and Track & Field team and later coached at the Donoho School for eight years.
Officials further noted that both coaches are CPR certified and have completed background checks through the Lincoln school system and USATF youth coaching requirements.
In addition to participation and registration, the Anniston Runners Club announced it is seeking sponsorships to help fund activities, apparel, and child-friendly awards that recognize the accomplishments of participants. The club emphasized that the monthly mileage program will operate continuously throughout 2026 without meetings, while the coached program will meet only from March to July.
Both divisions are free and open to children up to 11 years old, with registration available now through the club’s RunSignup page.
