Al Carius

Run for Fun and Personal Bests Al Carius

The Story of The North Central College Cross Country and Track & Field Teams




Run for Fun and Personal Bests is not about trophies and championships. It's ultimately about much more important goals and lasting rewards for the student athletes who built and benefit from our North Central program.




The basic responsibility of a coach should never veer from the goal of stressing core internal values that guide athletes to personal growth.

I train cross country and track athletes, but this recipe, this process, should work for any athlete in any sport. I also believe it can guide other young people pursuing a personal goal in school, at work, or in their personal lives, who are asking themselves, "I know where I want to go, but how do I get there?"




At times, we are all so busy working toward material outcomes for our youths that we don't have time for the most important needs they require to succeed.




In a world that's becoming more materialistic, more professional, more outcome-oriented, we believe, to the contrary, that the ultimate competition is you against you.