FAQ

What is WeROCK?

WeRock stands for “We Run Our Community’s Kids”. We are a noncompetetive marathon training program that teaches middle and high school students mental and physical endurance and that they are capable of doing hard things.

When do you train?

For Middle School students we train right after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and all campuses will meet together on Saturday mornings. We also meet on the occasional Monday following a race for “Medal Mondays”. Runners will be asked to complete one independent run on their own before Friday.

High School will meet Tuesday and Wednesday and Saturday mornings

Where do you train?

During the week we train on our School Campuses

Saturday’s will typically be in Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, or Ladera Ranch

Our races are typically located throughout Orange County, Riverside, and Long Beach*

*Subject to race availability

What Does a Typical Season Look Like?

Our milestones are:

5k distance in October

10k in November

Half Marathon in January

Our BIG 3: 18, 20, 22 miles between March and April

Full Marathon (26.2 miles) at the OC Marathon which is traditionally the first weekend in May

What does my runner need to participate?

1. A standard watch with a stopwatch function (GPS watch is NOT required)

2. Black shorts or leggings (no team logos, basic brand logos and simple stripes are acceptable)

3. Running Water bottle, hip belt or hydration backpack

4. Good pair of Running shoes

5. Maintain a minimum 15-minute per mile pace during the week and a 16-minute per mile pace on Saturdays (which is really not more than a speed walk)

Where can I find appropriate running gear?

Amazon, Dicks Sporting Goods, or any local running store. Our recommendation is to go into a store and try a few things out and find out what works best for your runner before buying online if that is the better option. Some runners prefer handheld water bottles, some prefer hip belts, and others like hydration packs.

WeROCK does have a partnership with RoadRunner Sports in Laguna Hills which offers special perks for WeROCK participants.

How do you track the runner’s progress?

All Runners will create a Strava profile and join their WeRock school club and the WeRock all team club in Strava

Each Saturday runners will check-in at aid stations along the route and their time will be recorded. Regular pacing reports will be sent out to parents to ensure all runners are keeping with our minimum requirements and on goal.

What if my runner doesn’t want to do a full marathon?

While we love to see our runners achieve the incredible milestone of a full marathon we understand that sometimes it’s just not the time for it. We will work with the runner and parents to alter the training plan as necessary. Many runners who do not do a full marathon will run the OC half marathon.

What races do you participate in?

Our races can vary from season to season based on race schedule and availability but we will do one formal race per month. Traditionally we have participated in the following races:

  • Aquarium of the Pacific 5K, Long Beach
  • Dino Dash 5K, Tustin
  • Santa Clause for a Cause 10K, Irvine
  • Citrus Half Marathon, Riverside
  • Surf City Half Marathon, Huntington Beach
  • WeRock 10K & 32K (formerly known as the WeRock 20 mile qualifier)
  • Rock It El Moro, Laguna Beach
  • OC Marathon

Can Parents join?

Absolutely! You may join us for a run on Saturdays as long as you sign and turn in a waiver. You may also join WeRock as an official participant and receive all the benefits of our student runners. Parents are welcome to register for any races that WeROCK participates in but will be responsible for their own registration and packet pick-up if they are not WeROCK Participants themselves.

What do I get?

Besides an amazing experience building mental and physical endurance and camaraderie with fellow runners your age? You get 2 short sleeve WeRock run shirts (1-Orange, 1-Color of the year), a long sleeve run shirt, race medals, and shirts to show off your achievements, and, if you complete the full or half marathon at the end of the year, a cool finishers Jacket to compliment that awesome medal to show off your accomplishment!

Do I need to register my runner for the races myself and pickup race packets?

WeROCK handles race registration and Packet Pick up for all our participants. Runners will receive their bibs, SWAG, T-Shirts, etc. at the WeROCK compound at each race.

What if ________ day doesn’t work for me?

While there is no equal substitute for running with your peers and the awesome team-building experience we have at practice, we understand that life happens. Many of our participants do other sports throughout the year alongside WeRock. If you are unable to join us for a practice, you can make it up on your own. Just be sure to log your miles in Strava.

As we progress through the year, however, we have found the longer miles become harder to make up on your own so we highly encourage all our participants to join those to take advantage of our frequent aid stations, and the mental boost you can get by running with your peers during our Saturday practices.

How do I know my runner will be safe? Will they be running on their own?

Our coaches are vigilant and watch for all our runners. While we can’t keep an eye on every single runner we do assign a sweeper to ensure no one is falling behind. On Saturdays, we always have a coach as a designated sweeper, and every runner will check-in at the aid stations to ensure no one has deviated from the course or fallen behind.

If ever there is a community safety alert we will alter practices as necessary to ensure the safety of all our participants.

What happens if my runner shows up to practice without a required item?

If your runner shows up to practice without a watch, water bottle, or appropriate running shoes they will be sent home. On race days, failure to arrive with the appropriate gear and uniform (appropriate race shirt, black shorts, or leggings, and proper running shoes) will result in your runner not being able to participate in the race.

Do you offer a Trial Period?

We no longer offer a trial period. WeRock has been training student-athletes for 13 years and parents and coaches have seen their amazing transformation and accomplishments. This is an amazing program and your child/student/runner will have a unique and life-changing experience!

I’m concerned that Marathon training could be dangerous for my child!

We have several doctors and medical professionals on our Board of Directors who oversee and support our training schedule and goals. The non-competitive nature of our program means we see much lower injury rates than many team sports and our program is designed to not push our kids beyond their capabilities before they’re ready. All our coaches train our runners to go at their own pace and do their best. If severe pains or injuries do occur we will alter the training program as necessary to cater to individual needs once they have received proper medical diagnosis, and treatment, and have recovered appropriately. The minimum requirement of a 16-minute per mile pace means kids are not required to push themselves any harder than they are capable.

My runner has already had a physical exam completed within the last 12 months. Will they need another one?

No, If your runner has already completed a physical exam with a physician within the last 12 months, we only require a signed and stamped form from the physician’s office for the current year. You cannot reuse last season’s Physical form, even if it is within the 12-month period before the next Physical Exam is scheduled.

Do you offer a training program during the summer?

We do! The WeROCK Summer Trail program meets 3x a week with no Saturday runs. The Summer program lasts about 8 weeks between June and August and will run two races, a 5K and 10K. The Summer program runs entirely on dirt trails typically in Mission Viejo (with creek crossings), Aliso Wood Canyon, and San Juan Capistrano.

Why a 16-minute mile pace?

The OC Marathon requires all runners to finish in 7 hours or less. A 7-hour marathon breaks down to 16 minutes per mile.

How far is a marathon?

26.2 Miles!

How do I sign up?

You can find our registration forms HERE

COVID-19 Safety Plan + COVID-19 Information

These are fluid working policies that may be adjusted as conditions and/or federal and state guidance changes 

Last update 3/11/22

WeROCK Coaches, Staff, Board

Any volunteer considered WeROCK staff and/or its Board Members are required to show full vaccination status based on CDC guidance within one week of appointment or submit proof of a negative test taken within 72-hrs prior to any in-person indoor contact with another member of WeROCK.

Tests are due prior to each in-person indoor activity. Routine surveillance testing is not required for staff who have had a lab-confirmed test of COVID 19 in the last 90 days.

Copies of vaccine cards and/or all negative tests or lab-confirmed positive test results are required to be kept on record.

WeROCK Athletes, Coaches, Staff, Board

An optional use neck gaiter is provided with the uniform. WeROCK recommends individuals lift the gaiter over their nose and mouth when in close proximity to other runners for long periods of time and when physical distancing becomes difficult.

We highly recommend that any WeROCKer old enough to receive a Covid-19 vaccination receives one.

WeROCK Aid Station Volunteers

All volunteers assisting with weekend morning aid stations are recommended to wear a face-covering when in the proximity of a WeROCK participant while working the aid station.

We will continue to watch the guidelines as passed down from Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD), Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other health agencies as to ongoing policy changes and adapt as needed.