Uniforms/Clothing & Shoes

Uniforms: Distribution and Policies

 

We use the same uniform from season to season, so if your child's uniform still fits from a past cross country and/or track and field season, they do not need a new one. If you have uniform pieces you have outgrown that you would like to donate back to the program, or if you are in need of a donated uniform, please email running@fpycsports.com.

Every runner must wear an FPYC-issued singlet (tank top) and shorts for every meet. Those runners without a full FPYC uniform will not be allowed to compete on race days. This is an FPYC wide requirement. Just as your child would be required to wear an FPYC football, soccer, basketball, etc. uniform, they are also required to wear the running uniform. 

• Shorts: $17
• Singlets: $13

NOTE: A full uniform (shorts and singlet) must be worn during meets; we offer them separately for those who already have a set and only need to replace the shorts or singlet.

YS

YM

YL

AS

AM

AL

AXL

 

 

Size progressivity and comparison (smallest to largest) for singlets (Y=Youth; A=Adult; AL=Adult Ladies Cut):

Girls	YS	YM	ALXS	ALS			ALM		ALL
Boys/Unisex	YS	YM			YL	AS		AM		AL	AXL

 

Recommended Dress and Footwear for Practices

CLOTHING RECOMMENDATIONS
Please dress appropriately. It is generally cold (spring) or warm (fall) at the start of the season, but the weather quickly changes within a month of either season. You may want to consider having your child dress in layers, so that they can take off a light sweatshirt, jacket, or long sleeve t-shirt and still have something underneath. Any general athletic shorts are fine, but ones that hang well below the knee might be more cumbersome for distance running than they are for something like basketball. Athletes will receive a team t-shirt but are not required to wear it to practice. Hats and gloves are important when the temperature gets colder. 

RUNNING SHOE RECOMMENDATIONS
We STRONGLY recommend running-specific shoes in place of generic tennis shoes or any other harder soled sneakers (generally more 'squared' - such as for basketball or skateboarding). Running-specific shoes may or may not do much for performance (we are of the mind that they do), but at least consider them for their propensity for preventing injuries and blisters. Children are fairly resilient to injury, but we do see repetitive knee, ankle, and other problems with our participants - and the culprit is usually overly worn or inappropriate shoes.

A handful of our runners make the additional investment in even more specific racing competition shoes or spikes. While we endorse these shoes if the parents are on board, they are completely optional. Our first meet doesn't take place until two or three weeks into the season; we encourage you to approach one of the coaches if you are considering or questioning racing shoes.

The FPYC Running program has established a wonderful relationship with Pacers Running Store in Fairfax and we have no hesitation with steering families there. Youth participants and coaches receive a discount if they mention FPYC running, and the service is top notch. Pacers donated $10,000 to us over the past few years for partnering with them and supplying help for their New Year's Eve Fairfax Four Miler race. Of course feel free to shop where you feel most comfortable, but their staff provide a higher level of attention and knowledge, and with the team discount can beat or come close to prices at Dick's, Kohl's, etc. The store is located in the Old Town Fairfax area; visit their website at www.runpacers.com.