Eight lanes into the sport
Four divisions, five disciplines and two ways to work the meet. Pick a lane; most people end up running in more than one.
Lane 1 · Division
Junior Olympic track and field and cross country for athletes 8 and under through 17–18.
Lane 2 · Division
Association championships on the track, the roads and the cross country course.
Lane 3 · Division
Keep competing!
USATF masters competition starts at 25, with no upper limit, in every discipline. Some meets set their own minimum, often 35.
Lane 4 · Division
Open to athletes with physical, visual or intellectual disabilities, whether you race casually or chase results.
Classification groups athletes with similar ability so competition is fair. Para officials are evaluated at 25 listed meets, and in 2024 the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field program joined USA Track & Field.
Resources list for Oregon and Washington compiled by David Greig, ParaSport Spokane.
Lane 5 · Disciplines
From the oval to the mountain. Every discipline has Association championships and a place on the season schedules.
Sprints, hurdles, distance, jumps, throws and combined events, indoors and out.
Track seasonFall racing on grass and mud, with open, masters and Junior Olympic championships.
Cross country seasonRoad racing from 5 km to the marathon and beyond.
Road eventsClimbs, descents and long days out, including the Mountain Trail Championships on Mt. Hood.
Trail seasonEndurance plus technique, with less impact than running. Its own lane, next.
Race walkingLane 6 · Discipline
Contested from youth meets to the Olympics. Stephanie Casey, who raced on multiple U.S. teams, started right here in Oregon.
In Oregon
The One Hour Race Walk (Oct 11, Alder Creek Middle School, Milwaukie) was canceled for a shortage of officials and participants. We hope to bring it back in 2027.
| Date | Races | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 28 | 10K Championship, plus Junior Olympic 1500m and 3000m | Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham |
| May 17 | 5K Championship and developmental walksNine registered 5K participants, double 2025 | Rex Putnam High School, Milwaukie |
Lane 7 · Get involved
Coaching education in three steps. Courses are hybrid: online at your own pace, then a seminar in person.
An online course, then a two-day in-person seminar.
An online course, then a two-and-a-half-day seminar.
Required for every coach who works with minors, renewed each year.
Lane 8 · Get involved
We recruit, train and certify officials for track and field, cross country, road racing and race walking, from high school meets to national championships.
You can start any time. Training runs as a virtual series recognized by the National Officials Committee, and certified officials can pick up paid meets on RefTown (free to register, current certification required).
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Chair | Robert (Gibby) Reynolds |
| 1st Vice Chair | Debi Hanson |
| Certification Chair | Scott Phoenix |
Membership
One USATF membership covers you in every division and discipline. Join today and you're covered through December 2027.