North American Final DVD Order Form

Allow approximately four (4) weeks for delivery of DVD(s)
after the September 15th deadline.

50 Meter Dash

Distance on a regular track: 1/8 lap
Fun fact: The Statue of Liberty is 50 meters tall.

How to prepare for this event:
Drill: Start at the end of your driveway and run as fast as you can to your house. Walk back to the end of the driveway. Repeat 5 times.

Ask your parents to: Count your laps for you

100 Meter Dash

Distance on a regular track: 1/4 lap
Fun fact: Florence Griffith Joyner -- famous for her six-inch-long fingernails -- holds the women's world record in this event, set in 1988.

How to prepare for this event:
Drill: Run the length of a soccer field as fast as you can, then turn and walk back. Repeat 4 times.

Ask your parents to: Help you find a soccer field.

200 Meter Dash

Distance on a regular track: 1/2 lap
Fun fact: The average diameter of an asteroid is 200 meters.

How to prepare for this event:
Drill: Find a hill in your neighborhood. Run up it as fast as you can. Walk down. Repeat 5 times.

Ask your parents to: Help you find a hill that's safe.

400 Meter Dash

Distance on a regular track: 1 lap
Fun fact: The height of the Empire State Building is approximately 400 meters.

How to prepare for this event:
Drill: Jump rope for 5 minutes without stopping. Jog in place for 2 minutes. Rest for 1 minute. Repeat 5 times.

Ask your parents to: Help you keep track of your time.

800 Meter Dash (400 x 2)

Distance on a regular track: 2 laps
Fun fact: An average freefall during a sky dive is 800 meters.

How to prepare for this event:
Drill: Run around the bases of a baseball field as fast as you can 3 times. Walk around once. Repeat 3 times.

Ask your parents to: Help you find a baseball field.

1600 Meter Dash (400 x 4)

Distance on a regular track: 4 laps
Fun fact: This distance also equals one mile.

How to prepare for this event:
Drill: Run for 12 minutes without stopping.

Ask your parents to: Keep track of how long you've been running.

4 x 100 Meter Relay

Distance on a regular track:Each participant runs 1/4 lap (see the 100 meter above)
Fun fact: A relay baton must be no shorter than 11 inches and no longer than 12 inches.

How to prepare for this event:
Drill: Practice passing a "baton" to another person without dropping it.

Ask your parents to: Save an old cardboard tube from a paper towel roll to use as a baton.

Standing Long Jump

How it's done: Stand behind a straight line, bend knees, swing arms, and try to jump as far as possible.
Fun fact: Ray Ewry holds the world record in this event, set in 1904. He jumped 11 feet.

How to prepare for this event:
Drill: In your backyard or driveway, practice jumping forward as far as possible from a standing position.

Ask your parents to: Measure the distance of your jump.

Softball Throw

How it's done: From behind a straight line, throw a softball as far as you can. You may take a running or a standing start.
Fun fact: The game of softball was created in 1887 as an indoor version of baseball. Because the ball was soft, players could field the ball with their bare hands.

How to prepare for this event:
Drill: Using a sponge ball in your backyard, practice throwing as far as you can.

Ask your parents to: Measure the distance of your throw.

Below are valuable instructions on how to register and manage your event.

Check Out The Rules

Before organizing an event, you should familiarize yourself with the rules. Download the HERSHEY'S Track & Field Games Official Rule Book under the Organizers tab.

Contact Your State/Provincial/Territory Chair

First, find your local coordinator. Let your coordinator know you are interested in hosting an event. They will be a good resource in helping you plan your event and answering any questions.

Access Our On-Line Event Manager Program

You must register your account profile as a Local Coordinator in HERSHEY’S Event Manager program. Just click on the Login to Event Manager button. Event Manager is our administrative program that makes registering as a coordinator and registering your event very easy. It also contains print materials and information that will help you promote and conduct your meet.

• Secure a location for the track meet, date and time. All you need is a place to run, jump and throw – a track is not even necessary. Past events have been held on airport runways and in open fields.
• Once you have created an account within Event Manager, you must register the event by going to Events > Add Event (it will have to be approved by your state/provincial/territory chair in order to post to the public site). You have the option to register your event as a Closed Meet for school fun/field days, programs with specific enrollment, or meets restricted by a local agency/organization; your event will post to the public site as a Closed Meet. If you are a new meet coordinator, you also can receive a HERSHEY'S FastTrack to Sports Starter Guide (coaches cards and skill activities) and an Activation Kit (includes all the equipment neccessary to run your meet) - while supplies last.
• Within Event Manager, under Resources, click on Reference Materials to access forms, flyers, certificates, merchandise catalog (vendors), etc
• After the event, you are required to log back into event manager to submit the meet results form and the participation report found on your homepage.

Gather Equipment

The most important items of equipment are softballs, measuring tapes, batons and stopwatches. As a new coordinator or community, your state/provincial/territory chair will submit your name to receive a free Activation Kit, which includes items mentioned above (while supplies last).

Recruit Volunteers

The number of volunteers will depend on the size of your event. Keep in mind; some volunteers could perform several duties. Potential volunteers include recreation department staff members, service clubs, track clubs, parents or members of a high school track team. Larger events will need to have multiple volunteers performing the same function.

Five Helpful Tips

• Make it fun for the kids, volunteers, and you!!
• Don’t wait until the last minute to round up volunteers.
• Each participant must register by completing a Local Entry Form. The forms can be found in our rulebook, on the public site, and in the Event Manager area, under Resources, click on Reference Materials.
• Consider sponsorships to provide ribbons, t-shirts, etc. Certificates and flyers are available in Event Manager, under Resources, by clicking on Reference Materials.
• Remember, your kids could qualify for their Regional Team and experience an all- expense paid trip to Hershey, Pa. in August to compete in the North American Final.

If you work hard, you might get to play hard. Qualify for the North American Final meet in HERSHEY, Pennsylvania, and get an all-expense paid trip, which includes a free day at Hersheypark, a visit to HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE WORLD attraction, and a tour of HERSHEY'S state of the art chocolate factory. The whole trip is filled with fun and activities.

Here’s What to Expect

The North American Final isn't all about running, jumping, and throwing; it's also a chance to have fun and make new friends! Here's a brief itinerary of what you will experience while in HERSHEY, Pennsylvania. If you qualify for your regional team:

Thursday

• Arrival in Hershey/Elizabethtown
• Fun Day activities
• Opening Ceremony

Friday

• Regional team photos
• Regional team workout on track
• Tour of Hershey Chocolate plant
• HERSHEYPARK Entertainment Complex
• HERSHEY'S Chocolate World

Saturday

• Parade of Athletes
• North American Final Meet
• North American Final Celebration
• Dance/activities

Sunday

• Athletes return home

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