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The Merrimack Valley Striders is a running club that was founded in 1979 with the mission to encourage and enhance running at all levels

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Welcome to Merrimack Valley Striders

Merrimack Valley Striders was founded in 1979 with the mission to encourage and enhance running at all levels.

Every member of MVS is respected as an athlete: whether young or old, capable of winning races or further back in the pack, seasoned marathoner, or a member who is simply seeking to improve his or her health.

Though we were founded in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts -- north of Boston, south of New Hampshire – we have grown and our reach touches runners as far away as Florida and California.

MVS Youth Coaching for Summer 2024

Three Programs Available for Elementary to High School Students

The Summer Youth Coaching program begins it's 5th year partnership with the XC Project with a 6-week training program on July 8. Under the tutelage of Coach Fred Doyle and his coaches, there are three different programs that offer student athletes training as they prepare for their fall sports season.

All three programs will take place at the Greater Lawrence Technical School track field in Andover.

The programs include:

XC Project, a cross country training program for middle and high school athletes,
Speed Project, a program for fall sports athletes looking to become faster-stronger-more athletic,
Sidney's Rainbow Runners(NEW), a program for elementary school-age children (6-10 years old) focusing on fun games and active play to build strength, speed, agility and mobility in a way geared to younger athletes.

You can learn more about these programs, the coaches and how-to-register here:

Youth Coaching Programs

Coach Fred Doyle sums it up: "We now offer three programs geared to all age groups from 6 years old to college. Whether athletes are just beginning their sports careers, or preparing for Cross Country or other fall sports, we have you covered. The feedback from our athletes always mentions that they feel well prepared, are faster, stronger, and more motivated after attending our training programs. They appreciate learning new drills, skills and making friendships with kids from other schools. We look forward to another great summer."

MVS Spring Couch-to-5K Program

A new, free Spring Couch to 5K begins Sunday, March 10, 8:30 a.m. for eight weeks, leading up to the Colleen Ritzer 5K.

This program is available to Merrimack Valley Striders members and non-members. This training is suitable for the walker, the runner with some experience or who has not run in some time, and the experienced runner.

The weekly sessions are coached by members of the Merrimack Valley Striders. Weekend trainings are offered on certain Saturdays or Sundays depending on the weekend.

Meet at 36 Bartlett St., Andover, near the gazebo. Plenty of street parking. Training sessions will take place on the actual race course.

Registration is required. Follow the link below for more details and to register for training:

Couch to 5K Program

Register For 2024 MVS Spring Coaching

MVS Coaching Program is making a seamless transition from the Winter Indoor Program to the Spring Program. The program is offered to all active members and will run for eleven weeks, starting March 18, 2024. We continue to offer one or two sessions per week consisting of a Tuesday evening track session or a Thursday evening Hills, Drills, and Strengthening Skills session. The program is available for active members only. The cost is $125 for 1-Session/week and $185 for 2-Sessions/week (not pro-rated.)

Coach Sharon Johnson provides workouts that are designed to improve fitness for runners at all levels.

See the Coaching Programs page for more details about the programs and the registration link.

Welcome to Merrimack Valley Striders

MVS Youth Coaching for Summer 2024

Three Programs Available for Elementary to High School Students

MVS Spring Couch-to-5K Program

Register For 2024 MVS Spring Coaching

MVS AFFILIATIONS