Outdoor track and field season is a beloved time for athletes and fans alike. After months of indoor meets, the outdoor season brings warmer weather, exciting new events, and the thrill of competition under the open sky. But when exactly does this celebrated season begin?
Overview of the Outdoor Track Season
The outdoor track and field season typically starts in mid-March and runs through June, culminating with high school state championships, NCAA championships, and Olympic qualifiers. The season kicks off as soon as weather allows and indoor meets wrap up.
Some key dates and events in the outdoor track season include:
- Mid-March: The first outdoor collegiate meets start, which signals the beginning of the season. High school seasons also get underway.
- April – May: High school and college conference championships take place. The Penn Relays, Drake Relays, and other big invitationals are held.
- May – June: State high school meets and NCAA regional/national championships occur. Olympic Trials take place in years when the Summer Games occur.
- June: NCAA Division I championships wrap up the collegiate season. High school seasons extend through state meets.
The outdoor schedule brings back classic track and field events not contested during the winter, like the 100m, 200m, 400m hurdles, steeplechase, discus, and javelin. The 10,000m also returns to major meets. With warmer conditions, athletes can achieve their fastest times and biggest marks.
When High School Seasons Begin
For high school track and field athletes, the outdoor season typically begins in March, immediately after indoor meets wrap up. The starting date varies by state and region, however:
- In Southern states like California, Texas, and Florida, practices start as early as late February or early March as temperatures climb. Meets kick off in March.
- In Northern areas like Maine, Minnesota, and Washington, the season may not begin until late March or April due to lingering cold weather.
- Midwestern and Central states often see their first practices and meets in mid-March.
Many high school indoor meets run through mid-March, so there is typically little gap between the indoor and outdoor seasons. Athletes ease into the outdoor training and competition as conditions allow.
When Collegiate Outdoor Seasons Start
For NCAA Division I, II, and III college programs, the transition from indoor to outdoor track happens in mid-to-late March. Exact start dates are determined by each conference.
- The ACC, SEC, Pac-12, and other major Power 5 conferences usually kick off their seasons in mid-March with early-season meets.
- Division II and III schools often start their outdoor schedules in late March.
- The first scoring meets counting towards conference championships take place by early April.
There is greater variation among colleges than high schools, as southern schools may start earlier than those in northern climates. But by March, most collegiate teams have migrated from indoor tracks to outdoor facilities.
Why the Outdoor Season Starts When It Does
The outdoor track and field season begins when it does primarily due to weather and scheduling:
- Warmer weather is needed for athletes to compete safely and perform at high levels in an outdoor environment. Mid-March is typically when temperatures start warming across most regions.
- Indoor season wrapping up plays a role. Most collegiate conference championships occur in late February or early March. High school state meets also happen in February and March. Outdoor begins after these meets conclude.
- Training cycles factor in. Following indoor nationals/states, coaches design training plans that peak for the outdoor postseason. Starting outdoor later would disrupt these cycles.
- No major conflicts exist with other spring sports like basketball, which could limit interest. Mid-March is a good transitional time.
While athletes surely want to be on the track and field as soon as possible, weather and scheduling dictate that mid-March is the optimal time for outdoor season to start. Once that first meet arrives, it kicks off a beloved time filled with records, rivalries, and championships under the sun and stars.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Start of Outdoor Track Season
When does outdoor track season start for high schools?
For most high schools, outdoor track season starts in mid-March, immediately following the indoor season. States like California and Florida may start a bit earlier in late February or early March. Northern states follow later in March or April based on weather.
When do college outdoor track seasons begin?
NCAA Division I, II, and III programs typically transition from indoor to outdoor track in mid-to-late March. Major conference schools start meets as early as mid-March, while some DII/DIII schools don’t compete until late March.
What are the first major meets of outdoor track season?
Early season meets for top schools take place in mid-March. Major events like the Florida Relays, Texas Relays, and Stanford Invitational occur in late March and early April. The Penn Relays happen in late April.
Why does outdoor track season start when it does?
The outdoor track season coincides with warmer weather suitable for competition. It also begins after indoor championships wrap up and allows time for outdoor training. Mid-March is a good transitional time with few conflicts.
What are the main differences between indoor and outdoor track?
Outdoor includes events like 100m, 200m, 400m hurdles, steeplechase, discus, javelin, and 10,000m. Outdoor tracks are larger ovals compared to indoor 200m-260m tracks. Weather conditions factor in outdoors.
Conclusion
The outdoor track and field season provides unique competitive opportunities not seen during the winter indoor season. For both high school and collegiate athletes, this beloved time of year starts once frigid temperatures begin to thaw, typically in mid-March. While individual start dates vary across regions and schools, mid-March represents the consensus beginning of the pursuit of records and titles under the open skies of the great outdoors.