Give your student-athlete the tools they need to succeed this track season!

By Coach Chris Knighton

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Introduction – Required Equipment for High School Track Runners and Sprinters

As a high school track and field coach, I am often asked by parents and student-athletes, “what equipment does my son or daughter need to run track?”

One of the best things about track and field is how accessible it is. You really don’t need much equipment at all to play. However, there are six pieces of gear that I wish every one of my high school athletes showed up to practice and meets with. You might be surprised at how often they don’t have these things.

In this article, I will share with you the required equipment needed for high school track runners and sprinters, and recommend to you my favorite products for each category. By taking the advice in this article, you’ll be able to outfit your student-athlete with the equipment they need to succeed in their upcoming track and field season.

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Equipment Required for High School Track

Item #1: Running Shoes

Why High School Athletes Need Running Shoes for Track

Running shoes are necessary for the daily training of all track and field athletes. Whether you are a sprinter, jumper, hurdler, thrower, or distance runner, owning at least one, and ideally multiple pairs of running shoes is essential for everyday training.

High schoolers actively involved in running activities such as track & field must wear appropriate running shoes. Having properly fitting running shoes will help keep your student-athlete healthy and injury free, while improving their comfort, performance, and overall foot health.

Best Running Shoes for High School Sprinters

The Brooks Launch is ideal for high school sprinters because it is lightweight and provides a fast and fun run. The Brooks Launch is perfect for high school sprinters to wear during their warm-up and cool down routines, and for workouts that do not require them to be in track spikes. The minimal design of the Brooks Launch encourages a natural foot strike, which is ideal for young sprinters who must constantly work on improving their running form. This is also a great lightweight and “go fast” shoe for middle-distance and distance runners.

Best Running Shoes for High School Distance Runners

The Brooks Ghost is a very safe choice for distance runners. Distance runners of all abilities will find this shoe extremely comfortable. It can handle just about anything – from the track to muddy cross-country trails. The Brooks Ghost creates a smooth, soft ride, no matter what your training looks like, and it is now lighter and softer than ever. The engineered mesh upper is lightweight yet durable and the 3D fit print feels secure around your foot, making the Ghost an excellent daily trainer. While the Ghost is instantly plush, the shoe transitions well between long runs, recovery days, and uptempo workouts thanks to a grippy outsole that adds an extra kick of responsiveness.

Item #2: Track Spikes

Track spikes are a must for serious high school track and field sprinters and runners. You should wear spikes when speed is of utmost importance.

When you’re first starting your running or sprinting career, it’s fine to run races in the same pair of shoes you train in. As you get older and more competitive, you might change into track spikes for races. While not everyone needs competition shoes, track spikes are lighter than training shoes and provide a tighter fit and more traction. Upgrading to wearing track spikes is recommended for track & field and cross country athletes as they become more advanced in their sport.

Best Track Spikes for Sprinting

The Saucony Spitfire Track Spike is an affordable and versatile track spike that is perfect for events ranging from 55 meters to 400 meters. This track spike is also great for hurdlers and jumpers who compete in sprint races as well.

Best Track Spikes for Distance Running

Item #3: Running Watch

Both high school sprinters and distance runners need a digital watch to keep track of time during their workouts and ensure they don’t miss practice or their events during track meets. Distance runners may opt to get a GPS Running Watch to also keep track of their running pace and distance covered, although this is not required.

Best Watch for High School Sprinters – Non-GPS Digital Sports Watch

The Timex Ironman is a classic digital watch that has great features, making it the perfect “first watch” for high school track athletes.

The Ironman Classic has a stopwatch, countdown timer, alarm clock, and can be programmed with very simple time-based intervals. This watch is perfect for high school sprinters and is a great option for distance runners as well, although distance runners may wish to upgrade to a “GPS Running Watch” as they gain more experience.

This watch is water resistant and durable, and may very well last through a high school athlete’s entire career.

Best Watch for Distance Runners – GPS Running Watch

For the serious high school runner, they will want a dedicated GPS watch that they wear just for running. Garmin makes some of the best and most trusted GPS running watches available.

Garmin watches are designed specifically for runners in mind so have all the best features any serious high school runner would want. The Garmin Forerunner 45 records distance, pace, elapsed time, records where you have run, monitors heart rate, measures cadence, and more.

This watch is small and light weight, making it perfect for running fast and racing.

The Garmin Forerunner 45 watch can be programmed with intervals or split manually, making it easy to run even the most complicated workouts. This GPS smartwatch can also control the music playing on your paired smartphone so you can rock out on your runs without missing a beat!

The Garmin Forerunner 45 is a great option for any ambitious track or cross country runner.

Item #4: Foam Roller

Every high school athlete should have a foam roller to help keep them healthy and injury free. A foam roller can be kept at home, or carried with your student-athlete to practices and meets to be used as needed.

When your son or daughter has a sore muscle spot, they can “sit and roll” on the foam roller to massage the area and find relief. Performing regular self-massage with a foam roller is an easy and inexpensive way to help keep high school sprinters and runners healthy when training for track.

All high school athletes should have access to a foam roller when needed.

Best Foam Roller for High School Track Runners and Sprinters

This foam roller comes in a variety of colors and is the perfect travel size to bring to track meets or practice! Regular use of a foam roller can help keep high school track athletes healthy and injury-free.

Item #5: Gym Bag

The best way for a high school runner or sprinter to carry their required track equipment and clothes to practice or a track meet is to have a dedicated duffel bag that they use for this purpose.

Best Gym Bag for High School Track Runners and Sprinters

I love the adidas Defender Duffle bag because there are a ton of pockets to store everything you need for track. You can put a change of clothes inside, your uniform, your track spikes, a change of shoes, a water bottle, snacks, a foam roller, and anything else you might need for practice or your next track meet. It also comes in a variety of cool colors to match your style or team uniform.

Item #6: Reusable Water Bottle

Drinking plenty of water is crucial for high school runners and sprinters. Unfortunately, I see too many kids show up to practices and meets dehydrated and perform poorly as a result. Runners and Sprinters need to drink before, during, and after all practices and competitions to perform and feel their best. Encourage your high school athlete to stay hydrated by getting them cool reusable water bottle that they can keep in their track gym bag.

Best Reusable Water Bottle for Track Runners and Sprinters

Carrying around an Owala Free Sip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle is a great way to stay hydrated. Even during a long practice or track meet, your drink will stay ice cold inside this insulated bottle. The Owala’s built-in drinking straw makes it easy for athletes to take a quick sip whenever they need it. The Owala comes in a variety of color options, so you can match it to your style or team’s uniform!

Conclusion – Required Equipment for High School Track Runners and Sprinters

One of the great things about track and field is that it doesn’t require much equipment to play. However, it is essential that high school athletes are set up for success by having the six most important pieces of equipment for track and field that I have outlined in this article.

Running shoes, track spikes, a running watch, a foam roller, a gym bag, and a reusable water bottle are the only pieces of equipment that are necessary for track and field.

Set yourself up for a successful this high school track season by making sure you have these essential items before you attend your next practice or meet.