Choosing the right kind of track and field equipment to use is an important decision for event planners looking to have their event officially sanctioned by the track and field regulatory groups, such as the International Association of Athletics Federations, IAAF, and USA Track & Field, USATF. Not only is this important for sanctioning, but the right equipment will also ensure that accurate and fair results are reached during the various events of competition.
Step 1
Establish which events will be part of the track and field competition. Track and field includes sprint events, middle distance events, long distance events, hurdles, steeplechase, relays, long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault, shot put, discus, hammer, javelin, pentathlon, heptathlon and decathlon. Some events are more equipment intensive than other and each event comes with its own set of required equipment for competition. Running events normally require the least amount of equipment.
Step 2
Decide if you want your events to be officially sanctioned. Sanctioned events have strict parameters on what equipment is considered usable for competition; therefore, you must purchase equipment that meets these standards to be sanctioned. Unsanctioned events can still be pulled off with considerable success and may be appropriate for local communities or schools.
Step 3
Determine if the equipment is to be used for indoor events, outdoor events or both of these types of events. Highly specific indoor and outdoor equipment is available for track and field competitions. If you will be only having one setting for your track and field events, then you should select equipment that is tailored to that specific setting. For instance, outdoor specific equipment can be more weather resistant and should be considered if you are only having any outdoor events. Indoor events won't require the same wind measuring devices as outdoor events; therefore, you won't need to buy them.
Step 4
Budget the amount of money you have available to spend on track and field equipment. Sanctioned Olympic level equipment can be very expensive; however, if your budget has room for it, higher quality equipment will last longer and provide for accurate results for competition. This will also determine if you will purchase equipment highly specific to an indoor or outdoor event or if you may need to purchase universal equipment, which is suitable for both.
Tips and Warnings
- Ask other track and field programs for advice on which equipment has been successfully used by them. This can limit purchasing mistakes, and increase the likelihood of choosing quality track and field equipment.
- Purchasing cheaply made or poor quality track and field equipment may lead to breaking of equipment during competition, which could be dangerous to the athletes.
