School-Issued Equipment

Your athlete will be issued East racing apparel for his or her use on race days. All items must be returned in good, clean condition within two weeks of the completion of the season or upon the decision to leave the tea, whichever comes first.  Athletes will be charged replacement cost for any items they fail to return.  Replacement costs reflect the cost to East to purchase fees.  Current replacement costs for each item of apparel range from $50 to $100.  Failure to return or pay for lost/damaged items may result in the withholding of an athlete’s grade reports or denial to attend graduation ceremonies or to register for school in an upcoming semester.  We don’t like to take these steps, but (1) school budgets are severely restricted, (2) coaches are very time constrained, and (3) athletes have ample and continuous advance notice of the dates and locations for the equipment return.

Equipment You Must Provide

• Training shoes in good condition
• Daily workout gear (shorts, t-shirt, socks, shoes, warm ups and rain gear for bad weather days)
• Running watch (nothing fancy, just a simple timing function)
• Water bottle labeled with athletes name.
• Racing flats are optional, but encouraged for varsity runners (spikes are not recommended as most of our courses contain concrete/asphalt surfaces)

How to Buy Running Shoes

If possible, go to a store that deals primarily with running footwear and apparel such as Runner’s Roost, Runner’s Choice, Boulder Running Company, or Fleet Feet.  Experienced runners staff these stores and are trained to help athletes choose the right shoe to meet their training needs.  Running shoes are expensive.  The best wat to prolong the life and function of a new pair of running shoes is to wear them for running only, not as school dress or for PE class.  Keep in mind that a pair of running shoes is expected to last for approximately 500 miles.  At 20-50 miles per week, the typical pair of shoes lasts for 10-25 weeks.

Training flats may be worn for racing; racing flats are not required.  However, many runners find that as they gain experience they benefit from racing in a lighter weight shoe designed to be worn in races only.

Several local running stores offer discounts of 15-20% on running shoes and/or apparel for athletes participating in cross country at East. To get the discount runners may be required to show their student I.D. card or use a discount certificate (obtained from the coaches).