Carolinas Kickoff 2026

Event Details:

When: Saturday August 29nd, 2026
Who: All Registered Trailblazers Grades 2-12! This meet includes boys and girls 5K races for Varsity, separate 5K races for JV, 3K races for middle school athletes, and 2K races for our registered elementary sibling runners.
Where: Metrolina Christian Academy, 732 Indian Trail Fairview Rd, Indian Trail, NC

Parking:

The meet is at Metrolina Christian Academy, 732 Indian Trail Fairview Rd, Indian Trail, NC. The course is in the back of the school. As you enter the parking lot the meet director has requested that you begin parking at the back of the school (closest to the course- there are two entrances indicated by the yellow and purple lines on the map) and then let the lot fill up so that it’s easier for people to find places as they arrive later. If you have friends or family arriving for a later race, there might be parking spaces closer to the course that were left vacant by spectators from the high school meet who left after those races.

Race Schedule:

The early start times are a little bit shocking, especially knowing this event is a bit of a drive for many of us, but the goal is to race in the cooler morning hours and avoid the summer heat later in the day. 

Arrival Times:

• 6:00am- Arrival time for Varsity Athletes (Will be announced early this week)
• 6:30am- Arrival time for JV Athletes (All high school athletes not on Varsity)
• 6:50am- Arrival time for Middle School Athletes

Start Times:

• 7:00am- Start time for Varsity Boys race,
• 7:02am- Start time for Varsity Girls
• 7:35am- Start time for JV Boys race,
• 8:10am- Start time for JV Girls
• 8:55am- Start time for Middle School Boys Championship Race
• 9:35am- Start time for 6th Grade 3K Race (boys and girls combined)
• 10:00am- Start time for 7th Grade 3K Race (boys and girls combined)
• 10:25am- Start time for 8th Grade 3K Race (boys and girls combined)
• 10:50am- Start time for Elementary 2K Race (boys and girls combined)

*All athletes are expected to stay until the conclusion of the 8th Grade 3K Race and are encouraged to stay to cheer on our Elementary 2K runners.

Check-in: 

The team tent will be in the wooded area near the start and finish lines. There will be maps of the course hanging on the side of the tent. There will also be schedules hanging on the sides of the tent. Athletes will need to check-in at the table before their race to get their timing chip and bib. Please be courteous to the parent volunteers distributing chips and bibs and follow their instructions with regard to when to check-in. They will need to make sure that athletes in earlier races get their bibs and chips first. 

Athletes will warm-up in groups according to which race they are in and a coach along with an older athlete will be assigned to help lead warm-ups and get each group to the start line on time. Leaders will be indicated on the schedules hanging in the tent. 

Restrooms are located in the school. Athletes, please make sure you allow time to use the restroom before your race. 

Please remember to return your chips after your race. If your chip is not returned, you will be charged a fee. 

Bring: 

• Remember to come in uniform! Black shorts and singlet (these should be in this week: if you don’t have one, just come prepared to go change). 
• Bring your running shoes. Experienced runners may want to use spikes for this race. If you have never worn spikes before please talk to a coach before purchasing. Spikes are never required for cross country. 
• Bring water. There will be water at the finish line for athletes, but you will also want plenty of your own to stay hydrated for the rest of the day. 
• Bring food. Athletes need to be refueling after they race. 
• Athletes may also want an extra shirt, slides, sunscreen, and rain protection (depending on the forecast). 

Misc: 

• Concessions: There will be Jeremiah’s Ice on site. 
• Meet t-shirts: Available for purchase at the meet for $20. 
• Medals: Top 20 in the Varsity and 3K Championship Races will receive medals and the Top 15 in all other races will receive medals. 
• Chic-Fil-A is located right beside the school, but does get very busy on meet days. ● Link to meet information: https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/262490/info

Link to meet information: https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/262490/info