Youth Outdoor Track

The outdoor track season begins after the last indoor race, typically around the end of March, with the first outdoor competition taking place in late April. It runs throughout the summer, concluding at the end of August. This season is particularly significant for many athletes, as it includes prestigious events like the Olympics, considered the pinnacle of track and field. Outdoor track also offers a broader range of events compared to indoor track and cross country, including the 10,000m and steeplechase races, which are rarely featured in indoor competitions.

The Toronto Olympic Club is a distance-running club that primarily focuses on longer races. However, we also participate in a variety of middle-distance events, such as the 800m. For younger athletes (U12 to U16), distance events include the 1200m and 2000m. Steeplechase begins at the U16 level, starting with the 1500m event. At the U18 level, distance events expand to include the 1500m and 3000m, with the steeplechase covering 2000m. For U20 athletes, distances extend further to 1500m and 5000m, with men’s steeplechase at 3000m while women’s steeplechase remains at 2000m.

The outdoor season features a wide variety of competitions. Competitions begin with school board’s district and city meets. High school athletes who win these events advance to regional qualifiers. In Toronto, the top few from each of TDSB, TDCSB, and CISAA will compete in the Metro Region before qualifying for the OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) Track and Field Championships. Beyond school competitions, Athletics Ontario hosts its provincial track and field championships in July or August, followed by the Athletics Canada national championships. The Canadian Legion also organizes national track and field championships, which require district and provincial qualification.

In addition to these events, the Toronto Olympic Club participates in numerous other races throughout the outdoor season. Some of our dedicated, high-performance athletes also compete internationally in the United States and other countries. The outdoor track season is a busy and exciting time, filled with opportunities for competition and growth.