Florida Youth Running Association (FLYRA)

The Florida Youth Running Association (FLYRA) is a statewide effort to inspire more middle school students to become runners and to support their efforts. The hope is that in doing so these students will then go on to their high schools and become members of cross country and track teams where they can further develop their talents and bring success to themselves, their schools, communities and the state of Florida.

As a parent of an outstanding Florida high school runner who started his running career at the middle school level and now runs for the University of Florida I know how running can change a young person's life. If we can get more middle school students involved in running I believe they will experience the sport's joys and benefits as my son has experienced. And they will taste individual and team success...and like it.

FLYRA is proving to be a great vehicle to help inspire, promote and support running programs for middle and elementary school youth. Given FHSAA's focus on high schools, there is a tremendous void at the MS level that needs to be filled...and this void needs to be filled by developing a stronger link to our high school programs who will benefit tremendously from the greater number of athletes.

This effort is about rolling up our sleeves and finding ways to double, maybe even triple the number of middle school runners in Florida. This won't be easy, but if we can succeed, we will change lives and Florida's running community. Indeed, Florida will become the envy of the nation.

In addition to laying the groundwork for establishing an association that is focused on serving Florida's middle school runners, coaches, schools and families, we plan to hold our 2nd Annual State Middle School Cross Country Championship Meet this on November 5 in Lakeland at a new venue known as the Sanlan Ranch. The area known collectively as Sanlan Recreation Area consists of 750 acres that are divided into three main sections: Sanlan RV Park, Bramble Ridge Golf Course, and the Sanlan Bird and Wildlife Santuary. Originally the land was used for phosphate mining in the 1950s. It was acquired in 1972 by the Holloway family and remains under the same ownership. The majority of the cross country course will take place in the 150 acre Wildlife Santuary section, which is under the control of a not-for-profit charged with its protection. See news about this change HERE. We are expecting over 500 young runners at this year's meet.

To get involved in the work of FLYRA, please contact Joe Mizereck at 1.800.761.0907 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1.800.761.0907 or joe@flyra.org.