Last Updated on April 16, 2023 by Andrew Pirie
Tell me about the different types of track and field equipment.
In many track and field competitions, different gear and equipment are required from footwear and clothing through obstacles to discuss units and other equipment. The typical track equipment consists of wearable items like spikes, running shorts or track pants, etc. Other tools are activity-specific: for example, pole vault and mats that cushion the landing. One of the most significant parts of the equipment is a specially built track which mainly has bits of rubber. In addition, to track and field gear there are items aimed at learning purposes.
Track and Field Equipment List: Competition
Shoes
- Neat fitting and light.
- Cleaned, dried, and aired
- Laces checked and replaced as necessary.
- Shoes checked for wear.
- Shoes contain a complete set of spikes – secure, correct length, and sharp
- Spare laces; varying size spikes and elements; and a spike “key.”
Please note some track ovals will only accept certain types of Spike Nails. So Ensure these are checked carefully.
Training Shoes (flats)
- Comfortable and light.
- Cleaned, dried, and aired.
- Laces checked and replaced as necessary.
- Shoes checked for wear
- Spare laces
Clothing
Vest and Shorts
- Neat fitting but not restrictive – Clean and dry
- Relevant to competition (e.g. club/team issue)
Socks
- Natural fibers (e.g., cotton) – Clean and dry
Underwear
- Neat fitting but not restrictive – Clean and dry
Track Suits and Waterproofs
- Neat, comfortable, and functional – Clean and dry
- Kitbag
- Towel, soap
- Talcum powder
- Vaseline
- Measuring tape (block spacing) (Sprinters)
- Note of block spacing (Sprinters)
- Note of relay checkmarks (Sprinters)
- Staring blocks (Sprinters)
- Competition entry form and/or running numbers
- 12 safety pins.
- Training Diary
- Pre-competition warm-up routine notes
- Cellphone for MP3s
- Large umbrella (golfing size) in case it rains
- Drinking water and food as required (Hydration)
- Thought should also be given to taking a spare pair of competition spikes and clothing.
- Foam Roller
- Yoga Mat
Additional Items
- Kitbag
- Towel, soap
- Talcum powder
- Vaseline
- Measuring tape (block spacing) (Sprinters)
- Note of block spacing (Sprinters)
- Note of relay checkmarks (Sprinters)
- Staring blocks (Sprinters)
- Competition entry form and/or running numbers
- 12 safety pins.
- Training Diary
- Pre-competition warm-up routine notes
- Personal stereo and tapes/CDs
- Large umbrella (golfing size)
- Drinking water and food as required
- Thought should also be given to taking a spare pair of competition spikes and clothing
Track and Field Equipment: Training
Shoes
Running Shoes (Spikes)
- Relevant to the demands of the training unit. (e.g., grass running, bounding, hill running, etc.)
- Shoes contain a complete set of spikes – secure, correct length, and sharp
- Spare laces; varying size spikes and elements; and a spike ”key.”
Training Shoes (Flats)
- As for competition, “flats.” However, they should also be relevant to the demands of the training unit if that is an indoor/gym/weights room, etc. unit
Clothing
Vest and Shorts
- Neat fitting but not restrictive – Clean and dry
Socks
- Natural fibers (e.g., cotton) – Clean and dry
Underwear
- Neat fitting but not restrictive – Clean and dry
Track Suits and Waterproofs
- Neat, comfortable, and functional – Clean and dry
- weights jacket
- elastic rope
- harness
- measuring tape
- talcum powder
- training diary and pen
- stopwatch
- marking tape or cones
- bottle of drinking water
- Thought should also be given to taking a spare set of clothing.
- Foam Roller
- Yoga Mat
- Stop Watch
- Measuring Tape
- Kinesio Tape
2.3 Additional Items
- weights jacket
- elastic rope
- harness
- measuring tape
- talcum powder
- training diary and pen
- stopwatch
- marking tape or cones
- bottle of drinking water
- Thought should also be given to taking a spare set of clothing.
- Cell Phone
Warm-Up
Shoes
- Relevant to competition or training requirements.
Clothing
Vest and Shorts
- Neat fitting but not restrictive – Clean and dry
- Relevant to competition (e.g. club/team issue)
Socks
- Natural fibers (e.g., cotton) – Clean and dry
Underwear
- Comfortable and functional – Clean and dry
Track Suits and Waterproofs
- Neat, comfortable, and functional – Clean and dry
Over-wear (e.g., tights, sweat top, tracksters)
- Preferably made from natural fibers (e.g., cotton, wool)
- Clean and dry
Additional Items
- Cones to mark distances
- Towel
- Training Diary.
- Warm-up routine card/notes
Notes
- Remove all kits from the kit bag after training and ensure that only a clean, dry kit in good repair goes back into the bag.
- When buying over clothing, e.g., tracksuits, etc., be aware of the lettering size on the clothing advertising the brand of clothing. When the television media are present at meetings, there are issues regarding advertising on athletes’ clothing.
Andrew was elected Vice President of the Association of Track and Field Statisticians in 2020 after being a member for 7 years.
He has worked as a PSC Consultant and Research Assistant from 2013-2015, Consultant, and Sprint Coach at Zamboanga Sports Academy from 2015-2017. And Currently is Consultant Coach with VMUF 2021-
Current editor and chief of Pinoyathletics.info, and has recently done consultancy work for Ayala Corp evaluating the Track and Field Program.
Coaches Sprints, Middle and Jump events he is Level 3 Athletics Australia Coaching Certification in Sprints and Hurdles.
Currently working towards a Masters Degree in Education.
He can be contacted on [email protected]
You can find more information on Coaching here
http://www.pinoyathletics.info/coaching-2/