Give Your Kids a Running Start

in Recreation, Parenting, Lifestyle, Kids, Home Page Featured Post, Health

Another glorious season of track is upon us! Eugene - Springfield is not only host to many track and field events April through August, TrackTown is true to its name with a strong running culture year-round. Miles of chip trails, historical track monuments and murals, and specialized running camps, clubs and events can lead to a life-long love of this sport.

Spark enthusiasm for track and field with your kids by attending track meets, partaking in runs and learning about Eugene’s robust track and field legacy.

Attend a 2026 Track Event

Sign up for a free TrackTown Kids Club membership (up to 8th grade) which includes a kids club t-shirt, monthly newsletter, opportunities to interact with track and field athletes, and ticket deals to events hosted by TrackTown.
Witness history being made from the stands at University of Oregon’s Hayward Field to the streets of Eugene, as high school and collegiate athletes, elite championship athletes and marathoners strive to achieve their best.

April 3-4 Oregon Relays
April 17-18 Oregon Team Invitational
April 24-26 Eugene Marathon
May 8 Oregon Twilight
May 28-30 OSAA State High School Championships
June 10-13 NCAA D1 Outdoor Championships
June 18-21 Nike Outdoor Nationals
July 4 OTC Butte to Butte
July 3-4 Prefontaine Classic - Diamond League
August 5-9 World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26

Take the First Steps

Enter your children ages 2-12 in the Eugene Marathon’s Duck Dash, a one kilometer run with a finish on Hayward Field! (Children ages 6 and under must have one adult running with them, it is optional for older children.) Participants all get a Duck Dash Finisher Medal along with other goodies.
Run as a family during the Oregon Track Club’s Butte to Butte 5K run/walk on July 4. Strollers are welcome!
Sign aspiring youth runners (ages 12 and younger, or ages 13-18 years) to participate in the Oregon Track Club’s All Comers Meets, a long-standing Eugene tradition that gets kids on Hayward Field during the summer.
Oregon Track Club’s Youth Cross Country Program (ages 9-14 years) meets regularly starting in September for group runs.
Enroll in an inspirational summer camp for young runners. Mestler Athletics Summer Track and Field Camp is coached by current and former University of Oregon and other track athletes for kids ages 9-17 years. Youth over 16 years can sign up for the overnight Nike Track & Field Camp held on the UO campus.

Learn about the Legends

Visit Hayward Hall, the University of Oregon’s museum tribute to the school’s award-winning track and field athletes and coaches. This interactive historical showcase is full of trophies, photos, mementos and creative displays celebrating Oregon’s track wins. There is even a replica of legendary coach Bill Bowerman’s workshop (the inventor of the first waffle sole shoes leading to Nike), a movie theater and selfie station!
Take a self-guided tour of the Oregon22 Heritage Trail commemorating Oregon track and field athletes who have medaled in international competitions. Ten of those plaques are in Eugene-Springfield, posted at locations significant to the athlete.
Also visit the Fast Forest at Dorris Ranch in Springfield where hundreds of trees have been planted in honor of every American male athlete breaking the 4-minute mile and female athlete breaking the 4:30 mile barrier.

By Taj Barnhart Morgan

Originally posted by Oregon Family Magazine via Locable