Track & Field Fact Sheet

clipboardFact Sheet

Get to know the largest youth sports program of its kind in North America...and the most exciting!

The following fast facts will give you the who, what, where, when and why of the Hershey's Track & Field Games.

It'll also tell you some fun facts and figures. Did you know that over 400,000 kids participate in Hershey's Track & Field Games every year?

What:
32nd Annual Hershey's Track & Field Games
Who:
Boys and Girls ages 9-14
When:
April-July - Local/District/State/Provincial Meets
July 30-August 2, 2009 - North American Final Meet
Where:
Local, district, state and provincial track & field meets are held in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the 10 provinces and 3 territories of Canada. State/provincial finalists are eligible for selection to regional teams. To ensure fair representation of participants, a minimum of five finalists are selected from each state or province to participate in the Hershey's North American Finals Meet at Henry Hershey Field, Hershey, Pa.
Why:
To provide quality recreation and school programs where children have fun and are introduced to physical fitness through basic track and field events, such as running, jumping and throwing. And while competition is important, the Hershey's Track & Field Games encourages kids to be the best they possibly can be. Track & Field programs are great way to help children establish a love for physical fitness at an early age.
Events:

Track

  • 50-meter Dash
  • 100-meter Dash
  • 200-meter Dash
  • 400-meter Dash
  • 800-meter Run
  • 1600-meter Run
  • 4 x 100-meter Relay

Field

  • Standing Long Jump
  • Softball Throw
General:

The Hershey's Track & Field Games has been a national event and now a North American event since 1978. The Hershey Youth Program, founded in 1975 by Dr. Donald P. Cohen in Charleston, W.V. has grown from a local playground event in one community to one of the largest youth sports programs in North America. The program is designed to encourage physical fitness among youth and emphasize sportsmanship.

The Hershey's Track & Field Games is endorsed by the National Recreation and Park Association, USA Track & Field, and Athletics Canada, and is solely funded by The Hershey Company.

Facts & Figures:
  • Over 400,000 children compete in the Hershey's Track & Field Games annually.
  • Approximately 540 athletes participate in the North American Final Meet each year.
  • Olympic medalists have competed in the Hershey's Track & Field Games North American Finals Meet including Monique Henderson and Joanna Hayes.
  • In 1998, the program expanded to include all Canadian provinces/territories.
  • In 1983, The Hershey Company took over as funding sponsor and the program moved to Hershey, PA.
  • In 1978, the first National Final meet took place on August 5.
  • In 1975, the first local All-Comers Meet and Clinic was held in West Virginia.
  • Six girls from California hold records for the Hershey's North American Final Meet, Florida is second with four.
  • Seven boys from Florida hold records for the Hershey's North American Final Meet, Georgia is second with three.