The mission of this meet is to honor over 50 years of community tradition by providing Poudre School District 4th and 5th graders with a foundational track and field experience that connects generations of athletes through sportsmanship, competition, and the spirit of the Manuel Cordova Memorial Meet.
Who: 4th & 5th Grade PSD Students.
When: Thursday May 7, 2026 (Distance)
Saturday, May 9, 2026 (Sprints & Field Events)
Where: 4700 E. Prospect Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80525
The Poudre School District Elementary Track and Field Meet has been an annual rite of spring for 4th and 5th graders for over 50 years. While there is some debate as to exactly when it first began, the meet in its current format began in 1971. The PSD Elementary Track Meet has provided a first track and field experience for generations of young athletes in the Fort Collins area.
In the early years, the meet was a collaborative effort of both the Poudre R-1 School District and the City of Fort Collins. The first meets were run at Colorado Field (CSU Track on South College Avenue) and at the old Fort Collins High School, before moving to French Field at Rocky Mountain High School for many years. This will be the first year that the district track meet will be held at the Poudre School District Stadium at Timnath Middle-High School.
The “pioneers” of the track meet were Ray Kruse, former athletic director in PSD, along with former physical educators Ralph Ravenschlag, Wilbur Ritch, Wes Crist, and Jim McCarthy.
Other notable contributors to the meet include Mary Hodge and Manuel Cordova. Both were former PSD teachers. Mary also served as physical education curriculum coordinator. She coordinated the meet for many years up until the early 1990’s. After she retired, Manny Cordova took over as coordinator. Tragically, Manny passed away in January of 2002, and the meet is now officially held in his honor each year and is now officially known as the Poudre School District Manuel Cordova Elementary Track Meet.
Today, the meet runs much as it always has, only with a lot more kids. Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, only the 4th and 5th grades participate in the Elementary Track Meet due to the reconfiguration of grade levels district-wide. Area 6th graders now participate in Track and Field representing the Middle School they attend. Some of the events at the Meet have changed over the years, but the kids today share the same experiences as their older siblings, aunts, uncles, and parents did in years gone by.
The PSD Elementary Track Meet is indeed a Fort Collins area tradition.
The PSD Elementary Track Meet is spread out over two days. The distance events, 1600 meter run (5th grade) and the 800 meter run (4th grade), are traditionally held on Tuesday or Wednesday evening during the first week of May. The remainder of the events are held on the following Saturday morning. (The actual date for the distance events are dependent upon the availability of French Field.)
This track meet consists of 10 events per grade and gender (4th & 5th Grade).
Track Events: 50 Meter Dash, 75 Meter Dash, 100 Meter Dash, 200 Meter Dash, 4x75 Meter Shuttle Relay, 800 Meter Run (4th Grade), and 1600 Meter Run (5th Grade)
Field Events: Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put (6 lb.), and Softball Throw
Ribbons and medals are given out to top competitors in each event.
For the Sprint Events, the 1st through 4th place finishers in each heat are given a corresponding place ribbon. Additionally, the “time” of each 1st place finisher is recorded. After all heats have been run, the times of each heat are compared and the fastest overall time is awarded the medal as "District Champion" for that event in each grade and gender.
In the Field Events, competitors are split into 3 “flights” per event. Each competitor will have two attempts at their event. After all competitors have finished (including scratches/fouls), the Top 10 competitors in each flight receive their respective ribbons. After all flights have finished, the "District Champion" is determined by comparing the scores of the flight winners.
In the I600 Meter Run, 2 heats per gender are run. In the 800 Meter Run there are 4 heats per gender. In all heats, 1st through 10th place finishers receive their respective ribbons. All other runners receive a “participation” ribbon upon completion of the event. Remember, the "District Champions" are determined after comparing the times of the heat winners.
All District Champions will have a medal and certificate sent to their schools Physical Education teacher approximately 1 week following the meet. Medals and certificates are not awarded the day of the meet.
Track Meet Information Sheet - English
Pista de Información de la Reunión- Español
2026 PSD MC T&F Flyer.pdfTrack Meet Map with Event Locations
PSD Track Meet Map - Timnath Location Final Draft.pdfEl Mapa con Eventos
MC PSD Track Meet Map - Timnath Location, SPANISH.pdf