The GLAC track and field season runs from October to March, with a break over Christmas. Competition is on Saturday mornings at John Landy Field, South Geelong. It starts at 8:15am and finishes around midday.

Find the Grovedale club area under and around the palm tree, near the 1500m start.

How a Saturday works

• Arrive by 8am. Announcements start just before the first events at 8:15am.

• Five events a week. There are three rotating programs, so the events change each week. Under 8s compete in four events, and Under 6s and 7s take part in On Track (below).

  https://www.geelonglac.com.au/programs

• Listen for your event. Each event is called three times over the loudspeaker, along with where to meet.

• Marshalling. When you arrive at your event, the parent on duty calls the roll and assigns heats.

• Track events. Heats are random for the first few weeks. Once athletes have a time, heats are seeded so kids race others of a similar speed.

• Field events. These are often split into two groups. Athletes get one practice attempt plus two competition attempts.

• Between events. Athletes return to the Grovedale area to wait for their next event.

Getting to the infield safely

• Cross only at the orange cones around the track.

• Check that no circular races (800m or longer) are running before you cross.

• Never cut across the infield, because javelin and discus are thrown there.

The GLAC cross country season starts in April and runs through winter. Races are on Saturday afternoon (subject to change) at venues around Geelong, such as Eastern Gardens.

• Registration from 10:30am

• Course walk at 11am

• First race at 11:15am

Age group

Distance

Under 7 and 8 1000m

Under 9 and 10 1500m

Under 11 and 12 2000m

Under 13 to 15 3000m

On Track is Little Athletics Victoria's (LAVic's) introduction to athletics for our youngest members. It's a 1½-hour program of games and activities that teaches the basics of running, hurdles, relays, jumps and throws in a fun, non-competitive way. It builds confidence before kids move into the full program.

• It starts at 8:30am on Saturdays.

• Two parent volunteers help run the program each week.

• For safety, other parents and siblings watch from the spectator areas. The track and infield are for athletes and officials only.

• On Trackers have their own Championship Day with the 100m, long jump, shot put and 400m.

Not sure which age group your child is in? Use the LAVic age calculator.

GLAC runs several championship and special events through the summer season for Under 8 to Under 17 athletes. Dates change each season, so check the Calendar & Events page or the GLAC calendar.

• Twilight Athletics. Evening meets from 5pm to 9pm.

• GLAC Track and Field Championships. A full-day championship at John Landy Field from 8:15am.

  • Enter up to five events: three track and two field, or two track and three field.

  • Medals go to the top three in each timed final.

  • To be eligible, athletes must have competed in at least two Centre programs before the end of February.

  • Enter through ResultsHQ before the closing date.

• Season Close and March Past. Clubs parade in their colours to close the season, and the best club wins the Dorothy Poyser Shield. Wear your Grovedale gear with pride!

Athletes aged Under 9 and up can go on to represent Geelong at Region and State level, in both track and field and cross country. Events include:

• Track and field

• Combined events (pentathlon)

• Relays (teams are selected on early-season sprint results)

• Cross country

LAVic emails entry invitations. Entry fees apply per event and per relay team. Athletes wear the Geelong Centre singlet, which is available from the competition office. If your child competes, you'll need to do a duty on the day. Duties are light, because LAVic officials run the events.

See your child's results on ResultsHQ (login required). Region and State results are on the LAVic Results Hub.

Competition may be cancelled or changed for wet weather or extreme heat. Athlete and official safety always comes first. GLAC makes the decision under the LAVic weather policy.

Check the GLAC Team App or GLAC Facebook page after 7:45am on Saturday, or before a twilight meet. We'll share GLAC's updates on our socials too.