Athletics Partnering with YMCA to Host Inaugural Track & Field Championship

JACKSONVILLE -- The YMCA of Florida's First Coast is calling all boys and girls ages 5 to 17 to challenge themselves and compete against each other in its Inaugural Track and Field Championship. As part of the Y's First Coast Kids Challenge, the event will take place on Saturday, July 15 at the University of North Florida's Hodges Stadium.

Competitions include long jump, shot put, turbo javelin throw, sprints and distance running. Participants may enter two, four, six competitions or all events as septathlon, and will receive a t-shirt and goody bag for registering. A medal ceremony will follow the finals of each event. Septathlon medals will be awarded at the conclusion of the day.

"Keeping children physically and intellectually active all summer long is an important part of our commitment to the First Coast community," said YMCA of Florida's First Coast President and CEO Eric Mann. "UNF has been a great supporter of the Y for many years, and we are excited to expand our partnership to host the First Annual Track and Field Championship at the home of UNF's soccer teams—Hodges Stadium."

Training in preparation for the Track and Field Championship is available at First Coast YMCA locations, including Baker County, Barco Newton, Brooks, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, Williams Family and Winston Family, beginning June 1. By signing up for the training program today, your child will be automatically entered into two competitions of your choice free of charge.

"We are excited to partner with the YMCA in creating this unique event that will expose children throughout our area to track & field," said UNF Director of Athletics Lee Moon. "We are focused on being a community partner and look forward to working with the Y in making an impact on the youth throughout the area."

Pricing for the Track and Field Championship ranges from $10-50 for Y members and $15-65 for non-members. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information about the competition categories, training schedule and event registration for the First Annual Track and Field Championship, visit FirstCoastYMCA.org.

The Y

For more than 100 years, YMCA of Florida's First Coast has been providing men, women and children of all ages, and from all walks of life, opportunities to build stronger bonds, live healthy and become more engaged with their communities. Learn more: www.FirstCoastYMCA.org.

University of North Florida

UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.