Start Up Help

Let’s Start a Corporate Track Team

You’re interested in promoting health and wellness at your company and have heard all the great things corporate track and field has to offer, but you’re not sure how to get started. Here are some tips (and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.)

Find Your Captain

You need someone to organize your team, recruit members, and provide direction during the season. If you’re reading this, chances are YOU are that person. While prior track and field knowledge is not required, it is helpful. The captain is the organizing force at your company, and the communication link with MECTA. Most captains are player/managers meaning they not only run the team, but also compete in the meets. However, participation in meets is not required of the captain, and you may opt to have someone “coach” the team and stay on the sidelines during meets.

Build Your Team

Start with a few coworkers with initial interest. These people probably competed in track at some point or run in road races now. Expand from there. While MECTA has many experienced track athletes, every team also has people coming out each season who have never competed and will be stepping on the track for the first time. Remember this is track and field so you can recruit people to throw, jump, run sprints, or run longer races. There is something for everyone. Check the list of who is eligible to run for your team.

Suit Up

You’ll need to wear something at meets that identifies your company and your team. You may already have t-shirts with your company name, or you may want to purchase track specific jerseys. There are a variety of price options. Most teams outfit their members with a team singlet (racing tank top), but some go further with matching shorts and even warm-ups. Budget is a factor so talk with someone who can give you options and price ranges. John Gleason at Atlantic Sportswear has helped multiple corporate track teams get suited up for the season.

Secure Funding

Team fees are low ($200-400 for first year teams depending on the size of your company). You may have Wellness funds at your company that will cover costs. Some companies provide money through the marketing budget (a team out wearing those company uniforms does represent and advertise for you), and others offer employees a chance to donate via payroll deduction. Explore options at your company. If necessary, teams do fundraise or take the most direct approach which is to split costs amongst the team members. Even if assessing an individual fee, you’ll find the cost is much less than joining a softball team or often even less than running a single road race, while you’ll be offering a summer full of activities.

Get Some Help

You may choose to offer some practices so your team can try out some of the field events and get down to the track, but you don’t have to go it alone. Teams from Unum (@Westbrook HS) and South Portland (@SPHS) hold weekly practices from April through July that are open to any team in the league. Throwing implements (shot put, discus, turbo javelin) are usually available at practices, and always available at meets for anyone to throw so you don’t need to purchase equipment. For those who get hooked and want their own equipment, M-F Athletic offers a wide selection of “everything track & field.”

Meet Day

Your first meet will feel hectic as your new teammates get acclimated, but you’ll find a friendly atmosphere at MECTA events where competitors are often helping each other out and giving tips. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Encourage your athletes to pick a race to try and a field event (throw or jump) to test out. Make sure to form a relay team or two as these events pull your individual athletes together as a team.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions as every MECTA captain has started a team from scratch and is ready to help you do the same.