WHAT IS ATHLETICS?

The sport of Athletics is a collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking.

WHAT IS TRACK & FIELD?

Track and field is a sport which includes athletic contests established on the skills of running, jumping, and throwing. The name is derived from the sport’s typical venue: a stadium with an oval running track enclosing a grass field where the throwing and jumping events take place. Track and field is categorized under the umbrella sport of athletics, which also includes road running, cross country running, and race walking. The foot racing events, which include sprints, middle- and long-distance events, race walking and hurdling, are won by the athlete with the fastest time. The jumping and throwing events are won by the athlete who achieves the greatest distance or height. Regular jumping events include long jump, triple jump, high jump and pole vault, while the most common throwing events are shot put, javelin, discus and hammer. There are also “combined events” or “multi events”, such as the pentathlon consisting of five events, heptathlon consisting of seven events, and decathlon consisting of ten events. In these, athletes participate in a combination of track and field events. Most track and field events are individual sports with a single victor; the most prominent team events are relay races, which typically feature teams of four. Events are almost exclusively divided by gender, although both the men’s and women’s competitions are usually held at the same venue. If a race has too many people to run all at once, preliminary heats will be run to narrow down the field of participants. Track and field is one of the oldest sports. In ancient times, it was an event held in conjunction with festivals and sports meets such as the Ancient Olympic Games in Greece.

WHAT IS ROAD RUNNING?

Road running is the sport of running on a measured course over an established road (as opposed to track and field and cross country running). These events are usually classified as long-distance according to athletics terminology, with races typically ranging from 5 kilometers to 42.2 kilometers in the marathon. They may involve large numbers of runners or wheelchair entrants. The three most common IAAF recognized distances for “road running” events are 10K runs, half marathons and marathons. Despite this, there are far more 5K road race events, due to their popularity for charity races and similar, less competitive reasons to hold an event.

WHAT IS CROSS COUNTRY?

Cross country running is a sport in which teams and individuals run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain such as dirt or grass. Sometimes the runners are referred to as harriers (dogs). The course, typically 4–12 kilometres (2.5–7.5 mi) long, may include surfaces of grass, and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road. It is both an individual and a team sport; runners are judged on individual times and teams by a points-scoring method. Both men and women of all ages compete in cross country, which usually takes place during autumn and winter, and can include weather conditions of rain, sleet, snow or hail, and a wide range of temperatures.

WHAT IS RACEWALK?

Racewalking, or race walking, is a long-distance discipline within the sport of athletics. Although it is a foot race, it is different from running in that one foot must appear to be in contact with the ground at all times. This is assessed by race judges. Typically held on either roads or on running tracks, common distances vary from 3000 metres (1.8 mi) up to 100 kilometres (62.1 mi).

WHAT ARE THE EVENTS / DISCIPLINES IN TRACK & FIELD?

For a complete list of events/disciplines, please CLICK HERE.

ARE EVENTS DIFFERENT FOR YOUNGER ATHLETES?

Yes. Younger athletes will compete in similar events with different specifications. For a list of these specifications, please CLICK HERE for the BC Athletics Events and Technical Specifications for Athletics Manual.

WHAT IS THE IAAF?

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is the international governing body for the sport of athletics. It was founded on 17 July 1912 as the International Amateur Athletic Federation by representatives from 17 national athletics federations at the organization’s first congress in Stockholm, Sweden. Since October 1993, it has been headquartered in Monaco. MORE INFO… WWW.IAAF.ORG

WHAT IS ATHLETICS CANADA?

Athletics Canada or AC (French: Athlétisme Canada) is the national governing body of athletics in Canada, which includes track and field, cross-country running, road running, and race walking. Athletics Canada is involved in many aspects of the sport at the local, national, and international level – providing the rules, officials, coaching education, sports science and athlete development, youth programs, masters (age 40+) competition, and an annual meeting. It also organizes the annual Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the Indoor Track and Field Championships. Athletics Canada is a member of the IAAF, IOC, IPC, EAA, NACAC, JDFL, CP-ISRA, CGF, ISBA, FISU and WADA. ATHLETICS.CA

WHAT IS BC ATHLETICS?

BC Athletics is the provincial branch of Athletics Canada and governing body for athletics in British Columbia. BC Athletics is involved in many aspects of the sport including athlete and coach development programs and provincial club events. WWW.BCATHLETICS.ORG

WHAT IS THE BC HIGH SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD ASSOCIATION?

The BC High School Track & Field Association is the governing body for BC High School Track & Field in the province. They are responsible for High School Track & Field rules and host of the BC High School Track & Field Championships and BC High School Track & Field Combined Events Championships. WWW.BCTFC.CA

WHAT IS THE BC HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY ASSOCIATION?

The BC High School Cross Country Association is the governing body for BC High School Cross Country in the province. They are responsible for High School Cross Country rules and host of the BC High School Cross Country Championships. WWW.BCXC.CA

WHAT AGE GROUP DOES MY CHILD/I COMPETE IN?

Age groups are decided by BC Athletics and Athletics Canada. Athletes can compete in the following age groups for club competitions: For High School Competitions age groups are decided by the BC High School Sports Commission. Athletes compete in the following age categories: * Note for Junior and Senior High School Categories, athletes will compete according to the specifications of the oldest age.

WHAT PROGRAMS DOES KAJAKS TRACK & FIELD OFFER?

For a complete list of Kajaks TFC Programs and information pertaining to each program, please CLICK HERE.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT PROGRAM TO CHOOSE FOR MY CHILD/ME?

Kajaks Track & Field Programs can be categorized in the following categories:

1. Age Group
2. Commitment Level / Experience Level
3. Annual / Seasonal

HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER OF THE KAJAKS TRACK & FIELD CLUB?

To register for a program with the Kajaks Track & Field Club, please CLICK HERE.

HOW DOES KAJAKS CLASSIFY AN ATHLETE AS HIGH-PERFORMANCE?

To classified as a High-Performance athlete within the Kajaks Track & Field Club, you must have been named to a Provincial and/or National team in the past 2 years. CLICK HERE FOR PROVINCIAL TEAMS CLICK HERE FOR NATIONAL TEAMS

WHAT COMPETITIONS DOES THE KAJAKS TRACK & FIELD CLUB PARTICIPATE IN?

Kajaks will designate at least 5 competitions at which coaches will be in attendance. Athletes are free and encouraged to compete in additional meets. However, Kajaks does not guarantee that a coach may be present. For other competitions, please consult with your coach.

WHAT EVENTS SHOULD I REGISTER MY CHILD IN?

It is extremely important that you consult with your coach before registering for an event. Certain events (ie. Hurdles & Field Event) require a certain level of technical experience before an athlete can compete in them. This is important for athlete safety. Secondly, please look at the schedule of events before choosing an event. Some meets are non-refundable, and if you miss your event because it was scheduled at the same time as another event, you will not be allowed to participate in the other event once it’s finished.

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR AN EVENT?

Every event will have event information on their website. Go to the website, look for the event and click on the registration button. Once there follow instructions to find the registration site. Please note that you will need you BC Athletics Number to register. See below for how to access your BC Athletics number.

WHAT IS MY BC ATHLETICS NUMBER AND WHERE CAN I FIND IT?

When you join Kajaks as a competitive member (you will be competing at club meets), you will be registered with BC Athletics. Once your name is registered you will be given a BC Athletics number. Your BC Athletics number will not change. You have it for life. Your BC Athletics number is also you Athletics Canada number. CLICK HERE TO LOOK UP YOUR BC ATHLETICS NUMBER You will need the following information:

1. Your Provincial Branch (BRITISH COLUMBIA)
2. First Name
3. Last Name
4. Sex
5. Birth Year

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO REGISTER FOR A COMPETITION?

Individual events can cost anywhere between $6.00 – $15.00. Relay events can be anywhere between $8.00 – $30.00 per team. Fees will vary based on level of competitions (i.e. club meet vs. championship meet) and time of registration (i.e. early bird or late registration).

WHAT IF I MISS THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR THE MEET?

If you miss the registration deadline for a competition, please contact the meet director to request entry. In some cases, this will not be permitted depending on the meet. If late entries are allowed, please note that there will be an increased cost and entry into certain events only be permitted based on available spots in the event (the event is not full or the a late entry will not change the schedule)

CAN I BORROW EQUIPMENT FOR COMPETITIONS?

No. BC Athletics sanctioned competitions must have the necessary equipment made available to all participants. In certain cases, Club athletes classified as High-Performance may sign out equipment for competitions. Athletes who do must submit a deposit cheque to the club prior to receiving the said equipment.

DO I HAVE TO WEAR A KAJAKS COMPETITION SINGLET?

Yes. All athletes competing for Kajaks Track & Field Club must wear an official Kajaks Singlet. To purchase a singlet, please contact the Team Manager at info@kajaks.ca.

WHERE DOES KAJAKS MEET FOR PRACTICE?

This will depend on the group. Junior Development and Athletics 101 will meet in the grandstand located on the east side of the track. High School and older athletes will meet at the site of their events. Finish line or back stretch for endurance and sprints practice. Sand pits (west side of track) for horizontal jumps. High jump area (north end of track) and Collier Throws Centre for throwing events (north of the complex).

IS PRACTICE EVER CANCELLED?

Yes. Practices may be cancelled if the coach or coaches are not available.

WILL PRACTICE BE CANCELLED FOR WEATHER?

Depends. Practice will run rain or shine. In case of rain, training may be altered to ensure safety while training. Practice may be cancelled due to snow, extreme cold or lightening.

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE AT PRACTICE?

We ask that all athletes please plan to arrive at practice at least 10 minutes before practice.