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General Track Meet Guidelines

Every athletic event has its rules and guidelines. HERSHEY’S Track & Field Games are no different. Here are just a few things you should know about the rules of the HERSHEY’S Track & Field Games. For the complete list of rules download the Official Rule Book in PDF format.

Who Can Participate?

    • The only restriction for participation is age – participants must be between 9 and 14 years old as of December 31st of the current year.
    • A participant must compete in his/her age group and gender division.
    • All local meet winners must have their ages verified.
    • A participant must participate in the state/provincial/territory in which he/she resides.

      General Rules

      • Participants must report on time to an event.
      • If there is a tie for first place, there may be a run off for the running event, depending on the circumstance. In the field events the contestant with the best second throw or jump will be declared the winner.
      • Only the winners at local meets advance to a district and/or state/provincial/territory meet. Not all states host a district meet so check with your state/provincial/territory chair to confirm the flow of events in your state, province or territory.
      • Some meets will be held rain or shine. If there are any questions regarding cancellation or postponement due to extreme weather, please check with the meet coordinator.
      • 4x100 Relays in the 9&10 and 11&12 age groups are held at the local, district (where applicable) and state/provincial/territory meets only. These events do not qualify for the North American Final.

        Participation and Age Requirements

        The following is allowed event participation per age group at the local, district (where applicable) and state/provincial/territory meets:

          • 9&10 may participate in one (1) field event and two (2) running events and the relay; or two (2) field events and one (1) running event and the relay*.
          • 11&12 may participate in one (1) field event and two (2) running events and the relay; or two (2) field events and one (1) running event and the relay*.
          • 13&14 may participate in one (1) field event and two (2) running events; or two (2) field events and one (1) running event.

            *Since the 4x100 relay does not advance to the North American Final for the 9&10 and 11&12 age groups, they are allowed the extra event at the local, district and/or state/provincial/territory meet level. This rule does not apply to competition at the North American Final. An individual will be selected to compete only in one event at the North American Final. This one event may be a running event, a relay event (13&14) or a field event.

            Disqualifications

            Participants will be disqualified from an event for the following reasons:

              • Entering more than three events (the fourth event will be disqualified).
              • Competing in the wrong age group.
              • Aiding a participant directly or indirectly (accompanying participant to starting area, running along side participant, or being stationed at points along the track to aid or coach participant).
              • Wearing spikes or shoes designated for spikes
              • Wearing shoes designed for turf surfaces sports (natural or artificial)
              • Second false start.
              • Second warning at starting line for actions that confuse/upset other competitors.
              • Interference.
              • Lane infraction of 3 or more consecutive steps.

                Participants will be disqualified from the meet in progress and advancement to the next level for the following reasons:

                  • Competing in more than one local and/or district meet.
                  • Unsportsmanlike conduct (e.g., disrespect, profanity, throwing a baton, etc).

                    Equipment

                      • No spikes or shoes designated for spikes will be allowed on the track.
                      • In field events, any shoes designed for turf surface sports (natural or artificial) are not allowed.
                      • Participants are not allowed to compete in bare feet.
                      • Jewelry, hair beads and decoration, or sunglasses (except prescription) are not allowed during competition.

                        Track Rules Highlights

                          • Starting blocks are not permitted.
                          • Each running competitor is allowed one false start.
                          • A regulation baton must be used in relays. It may not be wrapped with tape.

                            Field Rules Highlights

                            • A participant may be excused from a field event to participate in a running event. The individual should return directly to the field event following the running event.
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