Track and Field is a series of competitions in running, jumping, and throwing. Most track and field athletes compete in one to four events on a 400 meter track or a nearby field. Check out this Runner’s World article for track and field basics and the many events in the sport: https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a20812256/how-to-watch-track-field/

Our spring season is open to all athletes regardless of experience or skill level.  The summer program is open to competition athletes only.

Athletes ages 8 to 18 are welcome and encouraged to participate.  Athletes who are currently 7 years old but will turn 8 during the 2024 calendar year are eligible, and athletes born in 2005 must turn 19 after 07/28/2024 to be eligible.

High school athletes who do not play a spring sport or are still building their confidence to try out for their high school track and field team are encouraged to join the DYS track and field program.

While all ages will practice as a team during the week, where appropriate, athletes will be grouped based on age and/or skill level.  At meets, athletes will compete in groups based on their age.

The season for all athletes will start the week of April 1, 2024. Conditioning athletes will have an 8 week program that will end the week of May 20.  The last meet of the spring season will be May 25.  The summer season will go to the first week of August and athletes' eligibility to compete at the end of season meets will depend on if they qualify at district and regional meets.

Registration for the summer season will open in the springtime.

Our season will start officially on Tuesday, April 2. We will hold practice two days/week for conditioning athletes and 4 days/week for competition athletes. 

We will be at the track holding practice each week Tuesday through Friday from 6:00pm - 7:00pm.  

Conditioning athletes are welcome to two (2) practices per week and can choose which days work best for them - we are using the honor system.

Competition athletes should plan to attend as many practices as their schedule allows.  In addition to the four weekday practices, from March 23 - April 21, practices will be held for Competition athletes at a local HS track on Saturdays and/or Sundays.

No practice will be more important than another, but the more you show the more you grow!  Athletes who are serious about improving should plan to regularly attend practices. 

Our practice location may vary and each location will present different challenges and areas of emphasis for the day. An ideal practice will be 10 min. warm up, 20 min. bodyweight workout, 20min. running, with 10 min. cool down and go home. We will be running daily. Working on other skills (throwing, jumping, and hurdles) may be available to conditioning athletes from time to time. We encourage everyone to try everything at least once.

We expect athletes to be ready to go with the whole team as soon as practice starts.  Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled practice time to ensure your athlete is ready for warmups, and if you are dropping off your athlete, please arrive no later than the scheduled end time to ensure the coaches can leave timely as well. 

Currently, all weekday practices are scheduled to be held at Lunsford Middle School:

Lunsford Middle School

26020 Ticonderoga Rd

Chantilly, VA 20152

Saturday and Sunday practices for Competition athletes are currently scheduled to be held at Rock Ridge HS:

Rock Ridge High School

43460 Loudoun Reserve Dr

Ashburn, VA 20148

It is not about where you practice, but how you practice! Practice locations are dictated by the Loudoun County PRCS schedule, and our location may change from time to time. We expect to practice at middle or highschool(s) in or around the Dulles South or Ashburn area.

We have the privilege of using our LCPS facilities and want to ensure we are invited back by treating each location with respect and leaving it better than we found it.  Before leaving each practice, please check the practice area for any bags, phones, water bottles, and trash.

One of the great things about track and field is that not much equipment is needed.  A good pair of running shoes and a good attitude!

All Athletes need:

• Water/Sports Drinks: hydration is key!
• Appropriate running gear: the weather is going to vary in spring. T-shirts and shorts are appropriate as long as the average temperature is at least 70 degrees. When it is under 70 degrees, we encourage athletes to wear sweat pants and long sleeves. It’s ok to sweat and be hot!
• Good running shoes: no vans, no basketball shoes, no crocs!

Competition Athletes also need:

• Spikes: for those athletes who will be competing in meets, we encourage you to purchase a pair of spikes. We will not wear them regularly at practice, but they will certainly be an advantage at meets.  Most meets allow up to ¼ inch spikes and the type of spikes you wear will depend on your event.  3/16 inch spikes are recommended for sprinters
• Uniform: uniforms are not included in the registration fee and must be purchased following your registration. More information will be shared closer to the start of the season.

No need to purchase your own throwing equipment.  Throwing equipment will be available at practice and meets for our athletes’ use.

Most importantly, athletes need to make sure their body is ready to run. Drinking water during a workout at practice is not enough! It is important to stay hydrated during the day and to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables from the Earth!

A track and field “meet” is the competition – what is called in other sports, the game or match. Each meet is organized differently and is typically a 1 to 2 day event. Running, jumping, and throwing events are competed concurrently.  Typically, athletes should plan to be at the event the whole day.

Competition athletes will have the opportunity to participate in at least three (3) to five (5) meets in each of the spring and summer seasons.  Most meets are a one-day event on Saturdays, while some meets may be spread out over the whole weekend.  Depending on the meet, athletes are typically expected to arrive as early as 7:00 am and should expect to be at the meet for the entire day into the evening hours.  The time that each athlete is scheduled to compete is determined by the meet organizers and is not within our control. While there is a schedule, it is a rolling schedule and it is not uncommon for events to start up to an hour early; nor is it uncommon for a meet to get well behind schedule.

Most meets will be in the DMV area within an hour’s drive from the Dulles South area. Some meets in the summer season will be qualifiers for the most competitive athletes that will require further travel.

Most meets are open to all competition athletes regardless of experience.  Some meets may require athletes to have set a certain time/distance during the season in order to qualify for that specific meet.

Below is a sample of the meets that we may participate in during the 2024 spring and summer seasons:

Most youth meets have a combination of running, jumping, and throwing events and will vary by age group.  Most meets have the following events available:

• 100 meter dash
• 200 meter dash
• 400 meter dash
• Hurdles (different distances and heights based on age and gender)
• 800 meter run
• 1500 meter run
• Long jump
• High jump
• Shot put
• Discus
• Javelin
• 4x100 meter relay
• 4x200 meter relay
• 4x400 meter relay

Typically, athletes up to the age of 12 can participate in as many as three (3) events and athletes 13 and over can participate in up to four (4) events at any given meet, as suggested by the coach.

To participate in a relay, we must have a relay team.  If you want to try forming a relay team, encourage your fast friends in your age group to register for track and field!

No, athletes cannot "play up". We have no control over group placement. Meet organizers group athletes based on the age they will be at the end of the calendar year.  For example, your athlete may be 10 years old today and will turn 11 in September - they will be placed in the 11/12 year old age group.  The meet organizers have the right to verify an athlete’s age by requiring proof of age, such as a passport or birth certificate.

If you have not been to a track meet before, think of a large, family-friendly tailgate party.  Some useful items to bring are:

• Uniform
• Running shoes
• Spikes are a huge advantage over athletes without them
• Lots and lots of water
• A cooler with healthy snacks/food – lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to keep you energized for the whole day
• Layers - for cool days, athletes should layer so they can keep their bodies warm until they are called for their event
• Sunscreen
• A chair or tarp/blanket
• A tent to help keep our athletes and spectators in the shade and as cool (and dry!) as possible while waiting for their next event
• Trash bags

What not to bring is just as important as what to bring.  NO CROCS.  Bring running sneakers for warm ups - do not warm up in crocs.

Conditioning athletes should not purchase spikes. They will not be worn during regular practice. A good, comfortable pair of running shoes will do.

Competition athletes are highly encouraged to purchase shoes specific for their event for some practice activities and meets.  Most meets allow up to ¼ inch spikes and the type of shoes you wear will depend on your event.

Runners

Wearing a pair of spikes will give athletes an advantage over athletes wearing flat-soled running shoes. There are different types of spikes for short-distance, middle-distance, and long-distance runners.  Check out this article to find the right type of spike for you.

Throwers

Shoes for throwers are also dependent on your event.  Shot put shoes are low tops with a slick bottom for sliding or spinning in the ring.  Javelin throwers wear high tops with spikes on the heel.

DYS Track and Field gear is available to be purchased online here: https://www.rokkitwear.com/deal-home/1607/DYSTF24.

Registration closes on March 18.  Athletes wishing to register after that date will only be able to join the competition program and will be required to participate in an evaluation prior to accepting their registration.  A late fee will be charged.

DYS Track and Field adheres to the standard DYS Refund policy.

1. If equipment or uniforms have been issued, no refund will be processed until they are returned.
2. Upon written request via regular mail or email more than 30 days prior to sport season start (1st practice/evaluations), participants will receive a full refund of the activity fee(s) less 10% to cover DYS expenditures that resulted from the registration (IE county fees, payment processing, league fees, etc).
3. Upon written request via regular mail or email, 50% of the activity fee will be refunded when requested less than 30 days of scheduled sport season start (1st practice/evaluations).
4. No refunds will be issued after the season officially starts (1st practice/evaluations).

Note: You may appeal for special consideration directly to the sport commissioner.