Hey everyone Zeb here to inform and excite once more!
Join us for the 2025 Pacific Association (PA) USA Track and FieldUSATF), track season!
You may or may not know we have our very own track season and league right here in Northern California.
I have created a new tab in our Epeak app for these USATF sanctioned races with all the information needed to join up and have fun.
Here is a break down of everything else you need to know concerning track running and how you can get involved!
- What is track running?
Track running is done on a 400m loop commonly found at middle schools, highschools, colleges and Universities. The tracks are layered with a special surface which provides excellent energy return and safety such as rubber or mondo.
Here is a youtube video with a break down of the major topics/history concerning track and field.
Here is a detailed breakdown of track dimensions
The distances raced generally include 100 meter 200m sprints, 400m, 800m, 1500m/1600m/1 mile (1610m), 2000m Steeplechase, and 5000m.
- What are the benefits of running track?
First and most obviously there are no hills or obstacles (steeplechase and hurdles being the exception) as commonly found in road or cross country races, allowing for the full focus to be on speed and maintaining rhythm.
I know many of you have fantastic aerobic endurance due the weekly milage you log on Strava, track racing helps develop speed endurance which translates directly to running greater paces for longer in your goal marathon or half marathon races. In addition track racing will help you develop a strong kick to beat your friends to the line at the end of a hard road race too!
Here are a couple articles discussing the benefits:
https://warwick.ac.uk/services/sport/blog/feed/the-benefits-of-track-running/
https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/benefits-of-track-training/
Furthermore you can accurately calculate your overall running fitness and how that translates to other distances because you are running in ideal conditions (no hills, high energy return surface, and shoes designed purely for speed).
- Am I Fast enough to run Track?
Perhaps you have seen track run at the Olympics where athletes regularly reach speeds in excess of 25 miles an hour (2.4 minute per mile pace) in the sprint events (100m & 200m) and average just short of 20 miles an hour (3 minute mile pace) in the middle distance events (400m & 800m); and you think that perhaps track running is too fast for you. The truth is yes; there are some very strong individuals who show up at track races, but road races are no different. To mitigate disparities in ability most events are run in separate heats based upon age group and pace, meaning as long as you are running within the confines of the track; the race will not conclude until you are done. Track is no more exclusionary than any other type of running event; the main onus (as always) is on running to the best of your ability whatever pace your ability may entail; and even more importantly having fun!
- What equipment do I need?
Essentially the only real difference needed for running track is wearing spikes. Your River City Rebel shirt is a fantastic track singlet. There is no need for camel backs, compression socks, or visors since the distances raced are short. Though it is perfectly acceptable to not wear spikes for track, you do gain benefits from the lighter weight (road shoes are typically 9-10 ounces, spikes are commonly 4-5 ounces in weight) and greater traction afforded from the spike plate.
Furthermore once you have your race is over your spikes will not go to waste because there are many public tracks available here in the Sacramento region to join us for weekly Speed workouts on. There is no better feeling than running an all out 400m dash with your spikes on.
Here is a video giving the comparison between spikes and road shoes on the track.
If you would like to purchase spikes running warehouse always has quality spikes on clearance.
- How can I sign up?
First you will need your River City Rebels annual membership.
Second you will need a USA Track and Field annual membership.
Third you need to register for a meet and pick your events.
The track meets on the calendar this year are (in chronological order):
PR Invite at Cordova Highschool Rancho Cordova Saturday April 5, 2025
Open and Masters Track and Field Championships at Cordova Highschool Rancho Cordova, June 5-8, 2025
SF Track Club Pride Meet at Cox Stadium San Francisco June 21, 2025 (registration links pending)
Fourth, join these events on our Epeak app to let everyone know you are going to be there!
We plan on bringing the tent and chairs to these events so you have a place to safely store and change your gear before your event. Additionally we will conduct warm ups and drills before your event to ensure you are fully race ready; as well as cool down and stretching afterwards to aid in recovery.
Finally since all of your events will take place at the track there will be a huge number of opportunities for your club mates to take action photos and cheer you on as you go; so stick around and do the same for everyone else!
- If you have any questions please feel free to ask in the Epeak app for greater clarification on the events and what is needed to participate.
rivercityrebelsrunning.com 