Registration Today!

2023 Special Olympics Penobscot/Piscataquis/Hancock Area

Track & Field Event Registration

Date: May 17, 2023  (Rain date- 5/18)   Registration Due: April 13, 2023

Location: Hampden Academy, Hampden

Time: Registration 8:15am-8:45, Events Start at 9am- 2:30pm

Event Co-Chairs: Wendy Gilbert & Ryan Welch

Games Management: Christina Ehrhard

The 2023 PPH Area Track & Field Event will be held in person at Hampden Academy in Hampden. This event is for all school age and adult Athletes & Unified Partners. Delegations are required to provide qualifying scores for all events. Qualifying scores should be obtained by completing the required training and will be used to properly division by ability. All distances must be in meters/centimeters, not feet//inches.

Events offered- 50M Run, 100M Run, 200M Run, 400M Run, 800M Run, Mile Run, 1K Walk, Shot Put, Softball Throw, Running Long Jump and Standing Long Jump, 4×100 Relay and 4×100 Unified Relay (See below for Motor Activities events)

Athletes may register for up to three events plus a relay. If an athlete registers for more than three individual events, they will be dropped from the easiest event.

IMPORTANT:

-Athletes may participate in only two of these 3 events: Softball Throw, 50M Run, or Standing Long Jump.

-Athletes in the Running Long Jump must be able to jump 1 meter to make it into the sand.

-Athletes with a mile time over 12 minutes are encouraged to register for a shorter distance (800M, 400M, or 200M) due to time constraints.

-Athletes in the Shot Put may not compete in the Softball Throw.

-Athletes in the Running Long Jump may not compete in the Standing Long Jump.

Unified Relay teams are to consist of 2 Athletes and 2 Unified Partners. Please enter athletes in the desired race order, for example Entrant 1 will run leg 1 of the relay.

Motor Activities Events offered- 10M Walk, 25M Walk, 100M Walk, 25M Wheelchair Race, 25M Motorized Wheelchair Race, 50M Wheelchair Race, 50M Motorized Wheelchair Race, 30M Wheelchair Slalom, 30M Motorized Wheelchair Slalom, Motor Activities Softball Throw.

Motor Activities are for athletes with physical impairments, who use walkers or wheelchairs or who are aging and slowing down. Athletes who prefer walking over running as a sport may also register in this category.  Athletes may register up to three events. During wheelchair races athletes may not be pushed/pulled or assisted during the race. This venue also includes a Softball Throw. Athletes registered in Motor Activities, must use the Motor Activities Softball Throw. Athletes registered in Motor Activities are not eligible to register for the traditional events.

Requirements for Participation in the PPH Area Track & Field Event:

The team’s Head of Delegation must complete the following:

Step 1: Complete PPH Area Track & Field HOD Registration Form by 4/13/23

Step 2: Complete PPH Area Track & Field Athlete Registration Form  by 4/13/23

PPH Area 4×100 Relay & Unified 4×100 Relay Form  by 4/13/23

PPH Area Motor Activities Registration Form by 4/13/23

Step 3: Complete ALL required forms below for Athletes, Coaches, Volunteers & Unified Partners prior to the event if you have not already done so previously. (Volunteer A/Unified Partner forms and Athlete Medicals expire after 3 years)

1) Athlete Forms (Medical, Release, Communicable Disease Waiver) or view online at Athlete Resources

2) Coach & Unified Partner Forms (Volunteer A & Communicable Disease Waiver) or view online at Volunteer Resources. Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Unified Partners over 18 please also visit the above link to complete the online background check and protective behaviors.

3) Head Coach Sport Certification (Each team needs at least 1 certified Head Coach in Track & Field) Click the link to register for a Head Coach Track & Field Certification Course on 4/29 in Brewer.

Scan To: MikeL@somaine.org  Fax To: 1-888-490-0672

Mail To: Special Olympics Maine, 525 Main Street Unit D, South Portland, ME 04106

First Call for Volunteers! If you are a business, group, or team of 5 or more individuals that would like to volunteer for this event please reach out to the Event Chair, Wendy Gilbert, wegaskum@gmail.com and Volunteer Coordinator, Heather Wheaton, at heatherwspecialo@gmail.com.

Track & Field Rules and Coaching Guides can be found here: http://www.somaine.org/sports/athletics-track-and-field/

It is important to be training now in order for athletes to be properly prepared for competition. Encourage your athletes to do stretching and warm-up activities. Encourage athletes to outdo their own best time/measurement or to train for new or more challenging events. Athletes in Motor Activities must also be trained in their chosen sport. Don’t forget to record times and measurements during practices as accurate scores are essential for creating well matched heats.

This information and the registration links will also be available on the SOMaine website at https://www.somaine.org/events/calendar-of-events/ by selecting the May 17th event date on the Calendar of Events.

If you have questions about the registration process please contact Christina Ehrhard, tina.specialo@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing everyone in May!