We exist to train great runners and equip them – mind, soul, and body – to impact the world.
W H O W E A R E
We are Spire.
In the early days, Spire was mostly a road race club with a team of young people who frustrated other runners by dominating the 18 and under age group of Northern Virginia road races. Over the years, as our team and reputation grew, Spire made the transition to a formal junior and senior high school track and cross country team.
Today Spire hosts and participates in track and cross country meets throughout the Northern Virginia region. Spire athletes are highly competitive and have gone on to run at college, in the military, and in other sports and programs where the rigors and disciplines of running laid a valuable foundation for success.
We train for life.
Core to Spire is the belief that young people, when properly equipped and challenged, are capable of more.
To develop the way of thinking and the lifetime patterns that make great things possible, the whole person – mind, soul, and body – must be engaged. While Spire applies this belief to develop talented runners, our real mission is to train young people in whatever they do, to think and live as whole people equipped to have an impact on the world.
Mind
A good runner needs to develop the ability to actively think, process, and reason in order to perform at their best, especially in endurance running. Mental strength is just as crucial as physical endurance; it empowers runners to push through fatigue, stay focused, and make strategic decisions during the most grueling parts of a race. Running isn’t just about covering distance—it’s about maintaining a sharp mind that can adapt to challenges, manage discomfort, and stay resilient under pressure. By honing these cognitive and mental skills, runners can enhance their performance, maintain composure, and achieve their goals with greater efficiency and confidence.
Soul
A good runner must find motivation and a higher purpose to endure the demands required for success. It’s this deeper sense of purpose that fuels the determination to push through the toughest workouts, overcome setbacks, and stay committed to the long and often challenging journey of improvement. Whether it’s a personal goal, the desire to inspire others, or a passion for the sport itself, having a meaningful reason to run provides the mental and emotional strength needed to persevere. This inner drive transforms running from a physical activity into a pursuit of something greater, giving the runner the resilience to not only meet but exceed their goals.
Body
A good runner must physically discipline and push themselves to grow stronger and run faster. This requires a commitment to consistent training, where each workout is an opportunity to build endurance, increase speed, and develop the muscles needed for peak performance. By embracing the discomfort of tough workouts, pushing through fatigue, and maintaining a relentless drive to improve, a runner can achieve significant growth. This physical discipline is the foundation upon which greater strength, speed, and overall athletic capability are built, enabling them to reach new personal bests and compete at higher levels.
Meet Our Team
Having competed at collegiate levels and beyond, our coaches bring a wealth of experience to train and challenge athletes – mind, soul, and body – to rise higher than the culture thinks possible.
David Fouse, ran cross country and track throughout high school ranking 2nd in the state of Ohio. He continued his running career as a full-ride scholarship athlete at Liberty University in Lynchburg VA for both track and cross-country.
David has continued to pursue physical activities which include competing in half and full Ironman races and holds a black belt in tae-kwon-do.
He has worked with young athletes in several coaching capacities and is the father of five children.
Robin Fouse ran cross-country and track throughout high school and in college as a scholarship athlete. She continues to run (although not as much as David). She was a home-schooling mother of five children - all of whom were active in Spire!
Bailey Fouse started his running career in middle school, helping to establish Spire as a competitive team in both cross country and track formats. Following his decade of participation in Spire, Bailey went on to run with the NCAA Division One level track team at Liberty University. While there, he competed in both the 400-meter and 1-mile track events, with his primary event being the 800-meter. After leaving the team, Bailey went on to earn his Masters degree in communications at Liberty.
Kate Alvarado started running through the fields of Pennsylvania for her PE time as a homeschooler and it grew into a passion for her. She has since completed several marathons including the Marine Corps, Chicago, and NYC and usually runs the Cherry Blossom in DC each spring.
Looking to expand her knowledge, Kate became a certified running coach from Road Running Clubs of America. She started coaching cross-country at the private school her children attended and propelled the team to multiple conference championships.
When the family decided to start their homeschooling adventures, Kate knew she wanted to join Spire having met Robin at previous meets and being impressed by their team! Her son competed for Spire his highschool years and has many fond memories of the team.
