Jingle Bell Run

Running shoes are the most important equipment for a student-athlete involved in cross country and track running.  Area schools offer these programs as early as the third grade, during a formative time when children are learning about healthy lifestyle behavior. Many times, a student’s family can’t afford a proper pair of shoes to help enhance the running experience, and good shoes can make a difference.

Created in 2003, The Traverse City Track Club’s Golden Shoe Fund partners with area running coaches and our local running shoe store to help area running athletes in grades three through 12 in need of new running shoes to receive them with dignity, so they are better prepared to thrive. 

This program has been carefully designed to ensure students in need will not lose eligibility or future scholarship opportunity and relies on the discretion of the young runner’s coach.  

The student athlete is able to use the shoes for the current sport season and at the end of the season may purchase the shoes from the school at fair market value. Fair market value for a pair of shoes, after a season of use, has been set at $0.00 by representatives of the MHSAA.

The Traverse City Track Club is proud of this program which helps young people in our service area enjoy their running lifestyle.

Are coached who may have a qualified student help apply for the Golden Shoe Fun through our website.  A typical pair of running shoes costs $100, and we would like to help as many students that may be in need.