Hershey's Track and Field

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/province in which he/she resides.

General Rules

• Participants must report on time to an event.
• If there is a tie for first place, there will be a run off for the running event. 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 the district meets in states/provinces where district meets are held, and the winners of the district meets will move on to the state/provincial meets.
• Many district, state and provincial meets will be held rain or shine.

Disqualifications

Any of the following can result in a participant's disqualification:

• Entering more than three events.
• 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).
• Second false start.
• Interference.
• Lane infraction.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct (i.e. throwing a baton).

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.
• No athlete will be allowed to compete in bare feet.
• Jewelry, sunglasses (except prescription) shall not be 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.