Run TrackTown Youth League coming to Bend
TrackTown USA and the Oregon Sports Authority are proud to announce the inaugural season of the Run TrackTown Youth League, a series of seven all-comer track meets to be held across the state this summer.
Top finishers will advance to the Run TrackTown Youth League Championship meet on July 26 at Hayward Field, as part of the final weekend of festivities surrounding the IAAF World Junior Championships in Eugene.
Run TrackTown Youth League regional meets will be free of charge and open to current 3rd through 8th grade boys and girls of all experience levels. Meets will take place in the cities of Bend, Coos Bay, Corvallis, Eugene, Hermiston, Medford and Portland. Participants from all Oregon communities are encouraged to participate in their closest regional meet.
Events to be contested are the 100 meters, 400 meters, 1,500 meters, long lump and turbojav. The top three competitors in each discipline at each regional meet will qualify to compete at the Run TrackTown Youth League Championship, held under the lights at Hayward Field on the evening of July 26. The Championship meet will take place on the final weekend of the IAAF World Junior Championships, offering Oregon youth an unprecedented opportunity to be connected with the world’s best young track and field athletes during one of the most exciting track and field events ever to take place in our state.
The Run TrackTown Youth League is a partnership developed by TrackTown USA and the Oregon Sports Authority to encourage Oregon’s youth to become healthy and active members of the community, inspire them to have Olympic-sized dreams and further Oregon’s position as the spiritual home for track and field in this country. The Oregon Sports Authority is providing financial support for the regional meets and TrackTown USA will conduct the championship meet in Eugene.
Visit runtracktownyouthleague.com for additional details and online registration.
“I was in awe of the overwhelming representation and performances by athletes connected to Oregon that I witnessed at the London Olympics,” said Oregon Sports Authority Board Officer Doug Obletz. “I came back knowing I wanted to help in some way to grow track and field in Oregon, and I’m very pleased with what the Oregon Sports Authority and TrackTown USA have put together.”
“Running under the lights at Hayward Field is an experience that track and field athletes dream about,” said Vin Lananna, President of TrackTown USA. “Pair that experience with getting to watch the world’s best junior athletes compete on the biggest stage, and this will be an experience these kids will never forget.”
“Providing these meets without charging entry fees to participants is very important to the Oregon Sports Authority,” said Drew Mahalic, CEO of the Oregon Sports Authority. “This is about inspiring our young people to live healthy and active lifestyles, and ensuring that economics do not play a role in their ability to compete.”
The Oregon Sports Authority is working with local track and field organizers in each community to coordinate the Run TrackTown Youth League regional meets.
“Bend High School and the entire Bend Community are very excited to be hosting one of the regional meets for the inaugural Run TrackTown Youth League season,” said Kyle Will, meet director for the regional event and head track coach at Bend Senior High School. The twilight meet at Bend Senior High will be held on the evening of Friday June 27. “We look forward to hosting this incredible youth track meet and hope you all will join us!”
The Run TrackTown Youth League is supported by the following sponsors and donors: Willamette Valley Track and Field, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Youth Runner Magazine, Oregon Road Runners Club and Turbojav.
2014 Regional Meet Schedule
June 25: Eugene – University of Oregon
June 27: Bend – Bend High School
June 29: Hermiston – Hermiston High School
July 9: Corvallis – Corvallis High School
July 12: Coos Bay – Marshfield High School
July 13: Medford – Saint Mary’s School
July 15: Portland – Grant High School
The Oregon Sports Authority Foundation provides grants and conducts programs to support youth sports activities with an emphasis on both underserved youth and increased physical activity.
Track Town USA is a non-profit organization based in Eugene that has been instrumental in making Oregon the destination for track and field in the United States.
For more information: runtracktownyouthleague.com
