There are three levels of competition at Operation Trackshoes, Fun, Recreational and Competitive. A competitor may participate in different events at different levels.
Fun Events are very casual. A competitor need never have tried the event before. Coaches, counsellors, parents, officials and spectators may also participate. This is their chance to win a ribbon!
Recreational Events are geared to the abilities of the majority of those who come to Operation Trackshoes. A minimal amount of training or preparation is required.
Competitive Events The minimum age is 12. Times and distances will be taken by qualified officials and made available to coaches on request at the end of the meet.
The Fun Events
25 Metre Leap Frog Two competitors. No steps between leaps unless the judge is looking the other way!
25 Metre Sack Race
Wheelchair Gym Games Of special interest to wheelchair users with complex disabilities. Individuals will be put into groups and will participate in a series of activities. These include a variety of relays, parachute games, bowling and more. Participation and team spirit are key.
Wheelchair 50 Metre Push This event is limited to those who are unable to propel themselves. They may be pushed by any non-participant. For the sake of safety, the pushers must walk.
Bocce Ball An ad-hoc adaptation of the classic game involving tossing four balls as close as possible to a target ball.
Wagon Race One participant pulls a partner 25 metres, then they switch places and return.
Basketball Shoot Participants have the choice of a 6 foot hoop or the standard 10 foot hoop.
Soccer Kick Participants kick a soccer ball and a ribbon is awarded based on the speed and direction of their kick.
Horseshoe Toss Participants direct a horseshoe by an underhand toss towards a stake and a ribbon is awarded based on how close the horseshoe lands.
Slow Pitch Softball Friday 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, beside the Petch Fountain inside Ring Road . Drop by any time. Equipment supplied. Neutral pitcher provided.
50 Metre Dash Starting blocks may not be used in this or any other event.
50 Metre Walk Limited to those incapable of running. (Those who run will be disqualified.) Entrants in this cannot enter any other track event.
50 Metre Hurdles There are six hurdles, 50 cm high and light enough to do no damage if the competitor were to crash into one. The first hurdle is at the 10-metre mark, the gap between hurdles is 6 metres, and the last hurdle is at the 40-metre mark.
Running Long Jump Two jumps. Measurement is made from where the foot leaves the ground.
Standing Long Jump Two jumps.
High Jump Two jumps. A height is awarded for each jump based on the height of the jump not the success of the jump or the height of the bar. Coaches, it is your responsibility to guarantee that participants entered in the high jump have been trained to land safely.
Ball Throw Two tosses of a softball. Since this conflicts with the wheelchair gym games, there is a second running of this event on Sunday for participants in wheelchairs. There a t-ball is used.
Shuttle Relay Four members per team (six for the children in the Junior Program with the addition of two peer counsellors), 25 metres each, shuttling back and forth. Unfortunately, we have to run this event on grass, so participants must be warned about slipping, especially if the grass is wet. Groups may enter more than one team.
Tug-of-war Ten members per team (six for the children in the Junior Program: four competitors and two peer counsellors). Two groups may join forces to make a team.
50 Metre Wheelchair Roll Two divisions, manual and electric. A competitor with both types of wheelchair may enter both divisions.
30 Metre Wheelchair Slalom.Two divisions, manual and electric. A competitor with both types of wheelchair may enter both divisions.
Wheelchair Rally Manual and electric wheelchairs. Participants will be divided into groups of 12: six in wheelchairs and six who are non-disabled. Individuals in each group will work together and their group will be competing against the other groups.
Wheelchair Ball Throw Two tosses. A t-ball is used.
80 Metre Dash Starting blocks may not be used in this or any other running event. False starts will be called back.
80 Metre Hurdles There are eight hurdles, 50 cm high and light enough to do no damage if the competitor were to crash into one. The first hurdle is at the 12-metre mark, the gap between hurdles is 8 metres, and the last hurdle is at the 68-metre mark. False starts will be called back. Competitors who do not attempt to jump over the hurdles, but simply run through them will receive a participation ribbon.
400 Metre Race Participants will be assigned a lane and will be required to stay in it. Pacing a runner is not allowed. Coaches, it is your responsibility to guarantee that only those participants who have properly trained for this event be entered. It can be grueling and we have had trouble in the past with participants collapsing after the run.
1500 Metre Race There is a 12-minute time limit. The start line is curved. The competitor may go to the inside lane right away. The concerns we have about improperly prepared competitors in the 400 metre race apply even more to the 1500 metre race.
Running Long Jump Two jumps. Measurement is taken from the long jump board. If a competitor foot faults, the jump is not recorded.
Standing Long Jump Two jumps.
Ball Throw Two tosses. A softball is used. The participant may throw underhand or overhand.
4 by 100 Relay Four members per team, 100 metres each (one circuit of the track total). Groups may enter more than one team. Each team will be assigned a lane and required to stay in it for the entire race. School age groups - competitors must all be 18 or younger.