Running Events
100m hurdles - for 7th & 8th grade girls, runners must jump 10 hurdles that are 30 inches high. It is 42'8" to the first hurdle and 27' 10 3/4" between each hurdle.
110m hurdles - for 7th & 8th grade boys, runners must jump 10 hurdles that are 30 inches high. It is 45' to the first hurdle and 30' between each hurdle.
100m dash - one straightaway on the track. Sprint as fast as you can through the finish line! We require our runners to use starting blocks for the 100.
1600m run - four laps around a 400m track. The 1600 is considered one of the two distance events, along with the 800.
4x200m relay - four runners run 200m each for a total of two laps around the track. Handoffs are important!
4x100m relay - four runners run 100m each for a total of one lap around the track. Handoffs are critical!
400m dash - one lap around the track. Runners must stay in their lane the entire lap. Starting blocks are optional.
50m dash - half a straightaway on the track. For 5th and 6th grade in conference meets only. Like the 100, we require our runners to use starting blocks for the 50.
200m dash - one curve and one straightaway on the track. The first 100m are on a curve and the last 100m are on a straightaway. Runners must stay in their lanes. Again, we require our runners to use starting blocks for the 200.
800m run - two laps around the track. Typically runners must stay in a lane or alley for the first 100m then may cut in and run on the inside lanes, but it can vary by track so pay attention to the starter's instructions! The 800 is considered one of two distance events, along with the 1600.
4x400m relay - four runners, each runner runs one lap. This is usually the last race of a meet and team winners can come down to this event, so it can get exciting!
Field Events
Shot put - throwers throw an 8.8 pound shot put. The best of three throws is counted.
Discus - throwers throw a 2.2 pound discus. Like the shot put, the best of three throws is counted.
High jump - jumpers jump over a high jump bar. At our conference meets, the bar typically starts at 3' high for 5/6 grade and 3'6" high for 7/8 grade. At meets where the high jump is on an all-weather surface, spikes may be worn. Jumpers get three attempts at each height to clear the bar. If they touch the bar but it hasn't fallen, the attempt is good as long as they are off the mat before the bar falls. In the event of a tie, the tiebreaker is the total number of missed attempts.
Long jump - jumpers jump as far as they can. At meets where the run up surface is all-weather, spikes may be worn. Technique is important!