Track Events
Relative Risk: Medium
Interschool Track Events
Supervision
- On-site supervision is recommended for sprints and relays.
- In-the-area supervision is recommended for middle distances (400 m, 800 m and 1500 m).
Instructional Considerations
- For distance running practice, length of route should be appropriately modified for the age and ability level of student athletes, taking into account::
- temperature of the day
- previous training
- length of preparation
- When running middle distances (400 m, 800 m and 1500 m) in practice, student athletes should be instructed to run in pairs or groups.
- Where school hallways or stairways are used for training purposes, appropriate safety measures should be in place including:
- side doors should not open into running area
- hallway protrusions should be clearly marked
- school community should be informed of times and locations of indoor practices
- hall double doors should be secured open
- monitors should be positioned at corners
- floor surface should be dry and provide good footing
- For relays, officials should follow and advise student athletes on appropriate safety procedures in the exchange zones.
Equipment/Facilities
- Regulation batons should be used.
- Student athletes running off-site for practice should use an approved route.
- “Blacktop” strips and open fields may be used if areas are suitable, smooth, clean, level and provide safe footing.
- Run out areas should be in place for all running events.
Last revised on 21 February, 2020.
Magnitude of Risk
Interschool athletic activities have been divided into three categories based on guidelines determined by the Sport Medicine Council of Alberta. These include higher magnitude of risk sports, medium magnitude of risk sports and lower magnitude of risk sports. Guidelines for determining risk level include assessing the nature of the sport in consideration of:
- Potential for injuries with severe consequences;
- Contact: person to person and person to equipment;
- Uniqueness of equipment used;
- Speed of action;
- Type of supervision required.
Although the magnitude of risk of injury is lower in some interschool athletic activities than in others, it is always in the best interest for teachers/coaches to document attendance and practice plans, and be prepared to handle injuries should they occur.
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