Find Track and Field locations for rent near me

If you’re into sports, you’ve probably been to a track and field event and watched athletes run, jump, and sprint. But an athletics field isn’t only for sports enthusiasts and athletes. This multi-purpose space also serves as a venue for corporate and social activities, filming, photography, and more.

The Best Events for Track and Field Locations

Track and field competitions typically occur in stadiums, grass and road-based courses, and other wide-open spaces. While these places are often designed for short-distance and cross-country races, they’re also great for various events, from school athletic competitions and company retreats to team-building activities, field days, and numerous production works.

Field Day
Get the students out of the four corners of the classroom or building and head outside for a day of fun activities and games. From tugs-of-war to relay races, a track and field location provides an expansive area for team games suitable for all abilities and ages. You can even set up an obstacle course to test their agility, endurance, speed, and teamwork.

Charity Walks/Runs
You're blessed with nice weather and have a good cause—it's the perfect opportunity for a charity walk or run. Charity runs or walks can go from a few kilometers to several miles, and a track and field site is a fantastic starting or finishing point for the event. Set up check-in tables, water bottles, snacks, first-aid kits, and other supplies at the field.

Corporate Retreat
Make your company retreat more engaging and creative to bring out the best in your team and discover more about one another. You'll want to unwind and relax, but don't skip the games or friendly field competitions. Rent a track and field location with sports facilities and nearby play areas.

Photo/Film Shoot
Who says everything you do in the track field should be sports-related? Whether you're making a music video, doing a fitness photoshoot, or shooting a few sequences for a TV show or movie, a versatile running track doubles as a location for your next production project.

What to Look for in Track and Field Locations

Depending on your event or creative project, you'll have different requirements for an ideal athletics track. Create a list of your non-negotiables and those nice-to-have items to help you decide.

Surface Type
Some might not be aware that running tracks have different surfaces, though most are made from polyurethane. When choosing a track field surface, you must consider your budget, athletes’ performances and preferences, or the activities you plan to do.

Dimension
Before booking the venue, check the tracks’ dimensions to know if right for your event. A 300-meter running track may be suitable for school events, while the standard 400-meter is the minimum required size for official competitions like Olympic and World Athletics. You’ll also find indoor running tracks with several running lanes that are 200 meters long.

Accessibility
Check the location’s exit and entry points and whether or not it’s accessible for those with mobility issues. You’ll want an inclusive space that’s easy to access and reach by public transport or private vehicles.

Amenities
Does it have clean, well-maintained restroom facilities, bleachers, shelters, and medical staff on-site in case of emergency? What other amenities and services do you need for your activities or event? You may also check their lighting systems or if they allow outside vendors and suppliers to set up on location.

How to Make a Track and Field Location Event Better

Planning track and field events is no easy feat, and sometimes, you might be too focused on just getting things done that you forget you can still improve the experience for all participants and the audience. Here are a few things you can incorporate into your event, field programs, or media projects:

Use Technology
Technology has taken the world by storm. It continues to revolutionize events, and track and field is no exception. From wearable sensors to clever motion capture systems, they let trainers and coaches analyze athlete movements more precisely and accurately and allow better training.

Offer Healthy Refreshments
Whether organizing a New York sports competition, filming a sports documentary, or shooting a music video, don’t forget to offer healthy snacks and refreshments. You can hire a food truck or a catering service to prepare delicious treats for everyone.

Customize the Space
When people mention track and field location, they often think about this wide, oval-shaped space with multiple running lanes. But an athletic field can offer more than that. Many have additional sports facilities you can use or you can transform the space into a unique setting for your event. Perhaps, you can build an obstacle course or set up several stations for outdoor games.

Utilize AV Gear
Invest in high-quality audio-visual equipment like wired and wireless microphones, sound systems, and lighting. Some venues may already have these tools, so check with the management or owner to see what they offer and what additional AV gear you might need.

Camera Equipment
Even if you’re not shooting a drama or a feature film, investing in high-end camera equipment is a great idea. You can set up a screen so that the audience can watch the event highlights or capture images and videos you can use for marketing.

Ready, Set, Go: Build Your Track and Field Event Team

Whether you're organizing a sports competition for schools for the first time or have a flourishing career in event planning, you know you can't do it all on your own. Assemble a team that can help you throughout the process and ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Event/Program Coordinator
The event planner or program coordinator is your right-hand man who will support and assist you in organizing every detail. They will oversee the programs and projects and work with other vendors and suppliers, so it’s important to find a professional you can rely on, who has team synergy, and good management skills. Encourage them to use event management tools for smooth operation.

Technical Manager
Technical managers have numerous roles, but in track and field events, their primary responsibility is to ensure the equipment, runways, tracks, throwing circles, and more are safe and set up according to the rules.

Photographer
Photographers are great team members whose responsibility is to take pictures of important moments, event highlights, and performances. This way, you can have to worry about capturing images during the activities and focus on other event aspects.

Camera Operator
If you’re filming on a running track or having a photoshoot, you’ll need a camera operator to set up camera equipment on location. They also work with the grips and lighting operators while taking instructions from the director.

Lighting Technician
It doesn’t matter if the sport is taking place at night or during the day—you’ll need help from a lighting technician to operate and maintain lighting systems. And if you have lighting requests at any part of the facility, they should be your first point of contact.

Benefits of Booking Your Track and Field Location Early

There are things you can delay if the situation calls for it, but booking a track and field location isn't something you should procrastinate. Here's why the sooner you secure the venue, the better:

Availability
When you start looking for track and field locations early, you have more options to choose from because most venues are available for your preferred date and time. But if you wait until the last minute, you might have to settle for less-than-ideal alternatives or push the date back.

Cost Savings
The closer to the event date you book, the less likely you’ll be able to negotiate the price. Aside from losing your bargaining power, you’ll miss out on amazing deals and incentives you could enjoy if you secure the location early.

Ideal Location
Unlike other event venues, there are only a few designated running tracks in every city. The best ones are typically centrally located with added features like indoor facilities and additional sports areas. Booking early allows you to secure the venue in a good spot accessible for attendees.

Effective Planning
Planning track and field events or any other athletic competition isn’t easy and requires a long preparation period on the part of the athletes and the coordinators. If the venue is booked early, you have more time to plan the logistics, activities, and schedules.

Budget Management
Booking the location well in advance gives you a better insight into your finances. You can keep track of your finances, budget what’s left in your funds, and identify ways to increase your resources.

Track and Field Events: Categories and Activities

Did you know that track and field is one of the oldest sports competitions? It dates back to ancient times, being featured in Greece around 776 B.C. Those unfamiliar with this sport may think it only involves running and races, but it also consists of various activities.

Categories
If you’ve watched a track meet, you know it’s always filled with action. The events are placed in several categories and every group has several activities. There are lots of jumping, throwing, walking, and running events, as well as cross country and combined activities like decathlon and heptathlon.

Activities
Every category covers various activities. If you want to participate in a running competition, you must choose from sprints, hurdles, relays, or middle and long distances. Don't have the stamina for road and track races? Try a field event like jumping and participate in long, high, and triple jumps or a pole vault.

If jumps will test your body's flexibility, throws will measure your strength, such as javelin throw, hammer throw, discus throw, and shot put. But if you think you’re strong, agile, and flexible enough to do multiple activities, sign up for a heptathlon or decathlon, which involves seven and ten events respectively.

Discover Track and Field Locations with Giggster

Do you need a large enough area that aligns with your sports-related story for your video project or photoshoot? Perhaps you're looking for a wide-open space for your company retreat or track and field programs? Whatever event or production project you have in mind, Giggster has got you covered. End your venue search with Giggster and easily find track and field locations in any city.