XC/SPEED PROJECT/SRR - SUMMER 2025
August 15th we concluded our 10th season of the XC Project, a Cross Country training program for ages 10-20. It was also the 4th year we offered a
program for fall sport athletes and sprinters looking to get faster called the Speed Project. This group targeted the same 10-20 year old age group.
Our partnership programs with the Merrimack Valley Striders were held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning from 8:00-9:45 at Greater Lawrence Vocational School in Andover.
Both programs are targeted for Middle School, High School and College athletes preparing for the fall season. Training takes place on the Turf Field, the trails, 400-meter track, and the school grounds. After a group warmup on the turf, we split the groups up by ability level, not by age or gender. Our philosophy is that a 6:00 miler should train with other 6:00 milers regardless of age or gender. There were about 110 athletes attending with a fairly even gender split (Boys - 57 & Girls - 53), which was similar to last year.
The groups go off with their individual Coach for the workout. Workouts are varied, since we feel that variety keeps runners fresh and challenged. We rarely duplicate
any workouts over our 18 sessions. Hills, tempo runs, track work, VO2 Max, circuit training, and plyometrics, keep the runners motivated and well prepared for the XC season.
It’s very gratifying to see the progress that the kids make throughout the Summer. The Whistle Drill and Turn N Burn Runs are always mentioned as their favorite workouts. The Speed Project focus is on speed drills, 3 & 4 point starts, accelerations, biomechanics, reaction drills, Plyometrics, circuit training and relays. A program highlight is our 1 Hitter Quitter, which gives them one minute to see how far around the track they can go in 60 seconds.
Sidney’s Rainbow Runners
This program, in its third year, is inspired by Sidney’s love of running and the outdoors, focused on making running fun, using games and active play to build strength, speed, agility and mobility. The goal is to ignite a love of running in elementary school age children (5-10 years old) that continues throughout their lifetime.
This year we had over 20 kids at every session. We feel this could be the fastest growing of the 3 programs and has been a springboard for other programs targeting this age group in the fall and spring. It has also been a nice feeder program for our XC/Speed Project.
Our Coaches
Our XC Project coaching staff is made up of MVC/CAC/CCL High School Coaches - Peter Fortunato & Matt Murphy (Greater Lowell), Kevin Alliette (Methuen), USC graduate and EMT/ Triathlete/Marathoner Joe Schifano, Manny Cruz (Bishop Fenwick) and Deborah Darlington (Innovation Academy Charter School). The Speed Project was led by Jess Nelson (Burlington Girls Coach) and Nick Villani (Greater Lowell). MVS Coach Mary Beth Ellis & Tatum Pecci (2nd Grade Teacher in Reading) lead our Sidney’s Rainbow Runners Program.
I am the Director and Founder of the XC Project and Speed Project, and work with both the XC and Speed Project as needed. I am the Head Boys & Girls XC Coach at Bishop Fenwick HS in Peabody and continue as the Director of Special Events for The Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association (MSTCA). Last September I was inducted into the MSTCA Coaches Hall of Fame.
We utilize many supplemental activities in our programs including
Kettlebells, Medicine Balls, Plyometrics, Mini Bands, Core Work and Hurdle Mobility, and continue to utilize agility ladders, wicket drills, Flying 30’s and 10-meter sprint Timing. This allows us to attain our summer goal of getting our athletes both stronger and faster.
A question we are frequently asked is why these kids sign up and work so hard during their summer vacation. Our athletes are highly motivated, and
understand that the more they do in the summer the better prepared they are for fall. We tell them on the first day that the training won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.
We expect this fall to see many of our XC Project athletes posting outstanding times in both their league meets and invitationals. They all mention how well prepared they are for the upcoming season. The higher their floor going into the season, the higher their ceiling will be come November.
On our final training session, we spent the last half hour doing our XC Project Fun Relays. Jump Rope, Skipping, Bear Crawls, Backwards Runs and Find Your Shoe Relays were all competitive and fun. Teams got to choose from assorted other prizes donated by Brooks Sports. We always view the last day with a bit of sadness, but with the anticipation for the new XC and fall sports seasons.
The countdown has begun….only 10+ months until our first day of training for 2026!
A tremendous thanks to our partner, the Merrimack Valley Striders, for all their assistance in making our programs successful. MVS provided an additional 10 scholarships allowing additional athletes from Lawrence, Lowell and Methuen to attend our programs.
XC Project Director Coach Fred Doyle
