Crazy Running offers running, track and field and conditioning programs for young athletes ages 3 – 17. Our programs are typically 8 week sessions, and we offer a variety of different training opportunities throughout the year. Athletes can train with us year round with 5k Training, Winter Conditioning, Summer Track and Field, Family 5k Training, and Speed and Agility Training.

Our goal is to positively impact the health and future of young athletes through running.

Our Story

During summers in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Robyn McElwee felt her kids needed some activity to keep them healthy and happy. She felt many of the sports that were offered might have left her kids on the sidelines waiting to get in some playing time. Drawing from her track and field background and creative mind, she came up with brilliant games that had all three kids having fun. That’s when Crazy Running was born. The first official program was run in Hanes Park in the summer of 2009.  Fast forward to 2013, Robyn, still competitively racing, was looking to step up and run her fastest downhill road mile and asked the coaching advice of local elite runner Donnie Cowart.  Later that summer, she shattered her old personal best and brought him on as partner to Crazy Running given their shared vision to bring the fun and excitement of Crazy Running to people all over the state of North Carolina and beyond.  Since they joined forces, Crazy Running has grown its year-round presence in Winston-Salem and reached franchise locations across multiple states. 

Tykes

Our Tykes are working on building coordination, stamina and focus all while playing FUN Crazy Running games!

Juniors

The Juniors move, move, move, and have lots of fun! The JR Crazy Running curriculum is game and play focused to help capture kids attention span for the full 60 minutes.

Upperclassmen

Throughout our training, we will learn about “what it takes” to become a good runner – goals and determination, endurance, strength, speed, flexibility, good nutrition, and race preparation. Be prepared to do lots of running, sprinting, jumping, bounding, stretching, and strength exercises! Our Crazy Running workouts are appropriate for an 8 year old that needs to get moving more, and they have challenged a 14 year old that can run a 6:00 mile – so don’t worry, your child will not be left behind, and they will certainly be challenged!

Teens

Our teen Crazy Runners are learning more about structured training.

Our Crazy Running Teen workouts are perfect for 13-17 year olds who would like a fun, social way to get fit and move. Workouts will include some running of course, general strength work, mobility and flexibility. Crazy Running Teen workouts will have an emphasis on getting a great cardio and strength workout while having fun together. 

Workouts will be appropriate for any teenager, no running experience required

Our Story

Robyn Land McElwee
Robyn@crazyrunning.com
Robyn is the founder and creator of Crazy Running. It all began in her backyard with her own children, some cones and a dream. Now, her running influence reaches nearly a thousand kids a year, and she has coached many high school runners to Division 1 scholarships. When in high school herself, Robyn was a 4-time Western Regional champion, 2-time NC State XC Champion & 2-mile State Champion. In college she specialized in the 5000 and 10,000-meters at Virginia Tech. Don’t let her 25 years of running experience and competitive racing scare you. Robyn has a conservative approach to training our youth. She is a USATF certified coach and co-authored My Trainer Fitness for Kids. If you are looking for someone to teach your children to become better runners, there is no better choice.

Donnie Cowart
donnie@crazyrunning.com
Donnie, a native of Rustburg, VA, is a 2009 graduate of VMI, where he set school records in the indoor mile and the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Competing in both cross-country and track, Donnie capped his career at VMI with his 8:44.66 and Division I All-American finish in the steeplechase at the 2009 NCAA Championships.  Since graduation, Donnie made nine USATF Outdoor Championship Finals in the steeplechase, as well as the 2012 & 2016 Olympic Trials Finals where he finished 4th & 8th respectively. In 2014 Donnie became the 425th American to break 4 minutes in the mile (3:58.43) and in 2016 won gold for the USA at the Pan American Cross Country 10K Championships. He is co-owner of Crazy Running and currently chasing a sub-2:10 marathon. Despite his serious commitment to his craft, Coach Donnie loves to bring fun energy and enthusiasm to our youth.

Contact Crazy Running