Taking a picture of 40 Young people at the same time Is a big Challenge just in itself. I would keep it traditional. Group them on a bleachers with rows of smiling faces. Good luck with the lighting (bright overcast would be great) so.. early morning. Avoid that noon time sun (harsh shadows and bad color temperature). Use a tripod take several shots (getting them all to look in the same direction at the same time) lol. Use a small aperture you don't want a shallow depth of field for this. After you get this part done get them out on the field doing there thing. Take shots of everything they are doing as individuals and small groups. Then pack selected shots around the group shot in a collage. When you are done... Go down to your favorite gin mill.. ORDER A DOUBLE Martini vary dry.. Drink up and think about if you want to ever do this again :)

Maybe stagger some hurdles around and have some of the team members leaning over the hurdles from behind, some in front, some maybe sitting on the edges.

Put them all in a group (standing or sitting) in the grass and stand on the tallest step ladder you can find and shoot them from above.

If the team isn't too huge, lay on your back on the ground pointing the widest lens you have (a fisheye might be cool) up at them as they form a circle around and above you. Maybe have them tie their running shoes around their necks with the laces and the shoes dangling down.

Put all their running shoes in a big pile on the ground, and get on your belly (again with a wide angle lens) really close to the shoes to take the picture with the the team behind the pile of shoes. Use a small aperture for max DOF.

There's some ideas anyway.

You need to provide direction to the team members to get it to come out right. Make it fun and they will be up for anything.
While taking the photos be sure you are getting everyone's faces.
Take charge of the event and move people around as needed. And like I said, make it fun for them and the whole thing will run smoothly.


ETA: Ok I wrote all that before you said there were going to be 30-40 in the group. Need to adjust the ideas for that large a group.
I was thinking maybe 12-15.