COMPETING AT A TRACK MEET

1. Arrival at the Meet: Try to arrive at the meet at least 1 hour prior to the start of your event to allow yourself enough time to find your competition number and complete your warm-up.

2. Check the Schedule Again: Make sure you check the schedule when you get to the meet because sometimes there are changes and your event’s scheduled start may be adjusted slightly. Usually schedules are posted around the facility for everyone to see.

3. Be Aware of Early or Late Running Events: Sometimes events finish earlier or later than scheduled, meaning your event may not begin as scheduled. Field events rarely start earlier than scheduled, but track events may start early if the meet is running faster than expected. You may have to start your warm-up earlier or later to coincide with the event start time.

4. Competition Numbers: All athletes are required to wear a competition number. The numbers are provided by the meet organizers and allow the officials running the meet to identify the athletes. Ask your coach where to get your competition number.

Athletes must wear their assigned number for all events in which they are competing in the meet. New numbers are issued at every meet. Generally the numbers are worn on the back for all events where the athletes start and finish in the same lane such as 60m, 100m, 200m and hurdles. Numbers are worn on the front for events where athletes all finish in the inside lane such as 800m, 1500m, 3000m, etc., and for all field events, such as long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault, discus. The officials will help you at your event and give you time to change your number if you need to.

5. Clothing & Footwear: All athletes should have proper warm-up clothes and competition clothes.

6. Competition Attire: Athletes must wear a club singlet or t-shirt, shorts or spandex, running shoes or spikes. All clothes should fit well, not be too baggy or restrict movements. You should be prepared for all types of weather if competing outdoors.

7. Warm-Up Attire: Along sleeve shirt or jacket, sweat or track pants is adequate. Some athletes choose to wear their warm-up clothing over their competition clothing.

8. Water: Always have a water bottle with you to avoid dehydration, and make sure you have water in your water bottle. Drinks with lots of sugar will make you more dehydrated and have a negative effect. Quench your thirst with water.

9. Spikes: If you are wearing spikes check to ensure the spikes are tightened. The majority of your warm-up will be done in your regular running shoes. Put on your spikes later in your warm-up when you are doing sprinting activities.

10. Warm-Up: Athletes should go through a proper warm-up before their first event. You can do this on your own. You are not required to do a full warm-up before each event if you are competing in a lot of closely scheduled events because you will make yourself tired. But make sure you are warm before competing in an event. You may want to redo some key warm-up exercises. Also, make sure you have time to find your mark and take a few practice attempts before your events scheduled start time if you are competing in a field event.

11. Checking-In: Athletes are required to check in for their events prior to the event beginning. For track events you usually have to check in 30minutes before and for field events you can usually check in 10 - 15 minutes before. The check in area for track events is usually at the start line and at the event site for the other events. You will be made aware of the check-in area at the meet if this is not the case.

12. Competing: Focus on your event and try to remember what your coaches have taught you. Try not to fall back into old habits. Coaches are not always around to watch your event although they will try. Don’t forget to HAVE FUN.

13. Competing In Two Events At The Same Time: Sometimes events are scheduled to begin at the same time. If this happens make sure the officials who are in charge of the events know that you are competing in two conflicting events PRIOR TO the start of both events. They will usually try to accommodate you. You may have to skip one jump or one throw in an event but you will still be allowed to compete if you miss a jump or throw.

14. Results: All results will be posted somewhere at the competition venue, usually 1 hour after the event is completed. Check your time or distance and write it down somewhere so you don’t forget it. Tracking your results from meet to meet will show you if you are improving as time goes by and allows you to set goals for yourself. This is much more important than ribbons or medals, but don’t forget to pick up your medal or ribbon if you’ve won one. If you get an award, you may want to write down your event and result on the back of it so you don’t forget what you won it for and how you did.

15. If In Doubt: If you are unsure about where you are supposed to be or what you are supposed to do ask a coach or an official. Someone will have the answers.