Track to host free youth clinic Saturday

The University of Oregon, TrackTown USA, Oregon Track Club Elite and City of Eugene’s Recreation Services are teaming up to sponsor a free youth clinic for kids aged 5 to 12 at Hayward Field prior to the Oregon Preview on Saturday, March 22.

Participants will have the opportunity to sprint, hurdle, long jump and throw the turbo javelin. They will be coached by Oregon and Oregon Track Club Elite athletes under the direction of UO multi-events coach Jamie Cook.

Every youth participant who takes part in the clinic will receive a meet bib, wristband, ribbon, snack and free entrance to the UO Preview, the 2014 outdoor season opener for the Duck men’s and women’s track and field teams. They will also join in a special group photo and autograph session.

Those kids interested in participating should bring their own running shoes.

Advanced registration is strongly encouraged.

You can do so at the Sheldon Community Center, 2445 Willakenzie Road, until 5 p.m. on Friday.

Check-in and same-day registration for the clinic will be Saturday from 9:45-to-10:15 a.m. at the southeast entrance to Hayward Field (Gate 8) near the corner of Agate and 17th streets.

The clinic begins with a group welcome at 10:30 a.m. Participants will be separated into age groups (5-6, 7-9 and 10-12) before rotating through four stations of sprinting, hurdling, long jumping and throwing.

A group photo will occur at the completion of the clinic and will be available online at gotracktownusa.com. In the event of extreme weather, the clinic will be canceled.

For more information, contact Kim McManus, senior supervisor, City of Eugene Recreation Services at (541) 682-6343 or Kimberly.K.McManus@ci.eugene.or.us.

-- Department of Intercollegiate Athletics