Track Meet Essentials by Karen!

 

Track Meet Essentials

2022 Spring/Summer season

By: Karen Miniex

This is NOT an ABSOLUTE list; you do not have to have/bring all of these items, but these are items I have found to be helpful for a long day at a track meet. You will not want to find and run to a store during the meet. 

Basic Essential Items to pack for Athletes

• TRACK SPIKE SHOES, SPIKE TOOL, AND EXTRA SPIKES!!!

• UNIFORM

• SUNSCREEN (a sunscreen spray comes in clutch!)

• Extra socks and tights/leggings; a Tshirt to wear over uniform when not competing; flat shoes (sneakers, Crocs, flip flops for when not competing)

• Gel Ice Pack; Cooling towel (soak in icy or water before use); Lotion (no one wants to be ashy); Chapstick (no one wants dry lips); TigerBalm/BioFreeze/IcyHot for sore muscles

• WATER and MORE WATER (also Gatorade or Pedialyte is good to have on hand IN ADDITION TO WATER)

• A LARGE water bottle (i.e. bigger than standard 22 oz), preferably a stainless steel insulated bottle to keep water cool/cold. This bottle will be with your child even when they are not able to reach you in the stands, so that is why it should be larger.

Food 

• Cooler backpack (or a wheeled cooler) to keep food cool

• For athletes, lighter foods/snacks are best during meets

• Fruit (e.g bananas, apples, oranges, watermelon)

• Pretzels, SmartPop popcorn, NutriGrain bars

• Carrots

• Fruit snacks

• Families can bring food (FYI many track meets have food vendors but it can get pricey!)

• WATER and other drinks (juice, soda, Gatorade) *A few disposable water bottles filled with water FROZEN beforehand are good to keep on hand*

Family essentials (In addition to items listed above)

• TicketLeap App on your phone to easily pull up your purchased Spectator Tickets

• Phone charger or battery pack (track meets are long!! You don’t want a dead phone.)

• Cushioned stadium seat for bleachers and/or a portable canopy chair for sitting in grassy areas *Get a carrying bag for either! Trust me! You can find these easily at Academy, Amazon, or Walmart*

• Hand sanitizer

• A large umbrella to block sun if sitting in bleacher stands

• A poncho, in case it rains (the track meets do NOT stop because of rain)

• Tylenol/ibuprofen and band-aids (FYI there are certified athletic trainers at each track meet to take care of the athletes, but it’s good idea to have these items on deck for your family) 

• Sunglasses

• Binoculars

• Gum

• If you have little ones in tow, you may want to bring an iPad/tablet or other items to keep them entertained

• If you will prefer to sit in the grassy areas instead of the bleacher stands, you will want to get an outdoor wagon cart to haul and store all of your items. *You can easily find these collapsible outdoor wheeled carts at Academy, Amazon, and Walmart–get the kind that has the rugged thick outdoor wheels instead of the thin wheels.*

NOTE: I have a 9 yr old son in Track, so there are other items to consider if you have a girl, a long-haired child, or an older child. competing. Some of those items include: Deodorant, hair ties/scrunchies, headbands, headphones, etc.