What to Expect at a Meet

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. Someone from the club will have the competition numbers in the stands by
the finish line.

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

Be Aware of Early or Late Running Events: Sometimes events finish earlier or later than
scheduled meaning that your event start time may not start 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.

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. Someone from the club will have the competition numbers on the
infield of the track. 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, and discus. The officials will help you at your event and give you time to change your
number if you need to.

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

Competition Attire: club singlet, shorts or spandex (black), running shoes or spikes. All
clothes should fit well and not be too baggy and restrict movements. You should be
prepared for all types of weather if competing outdoors.

Warm-Up Attire (if required): long sleeve shirt or jacket, sweat or track pants. Some
athletes choose to wear their warm-up clothing over their competition clothing.
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 on you. Quench your thirst with water.

Spikes: If you are wearing spikes check to make sure that 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.

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 event’s scheduled start time if you are
competing in a field event.

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 30mins before and for field
events, you can usually check in a few minutes before. The check-in area for the 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.

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.

Competing In Two Events At The Same Time: Sometimes events are scheduled to
begin at the same time. If this happens, make sure that the officials who are in charge of
the events know that you are competing in two conflicting events PRIOR TO the events
beginning. 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.

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.

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.