LYNN — For the first seven years Lynn ran its weekly Youth Summer Track Meets, sponsored by Lynn Parks and Recreation, the event had a natural venue.
This year, that’ll change. Manning Field, home to the meets since their inception, will be refurbished and out of use for the rest of the summer. But the organizers have found a venue they feel will work, and be a safe place, for the children who take part: Hood Park, on Holyoke Street, across from Lynn Classical.
The first of six weekly races will be Monday, July 11, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The series will run on Monday nights until Aug. 15.
“We have found an environment that will be able to hold the event,” said Director Joe Abelon, who also said that last year, “400 youngsters were involved in the program. A few competed in just one meet but many came on many days.”
Abelon said the qualifications are rather simple.
“They go from ‘yes, I can walk,’ up to high school,” he said.
Abelon said the organizers have already established the starts for all seven running events. The 30m, 50m, and 100m will be all on a straight line. The 200m, 400m, 800m, and mile will have starts on the perimeter of the field and the course will, for the most part, follow that perimeter. The standing long jump and softball throw will be in the interior.
Abelon said that most of the participants are middle-school age and younger. The toddler races are “endearing,” he said. The 30m race is for those ages 3 and under.
All communities are invited.
Those who want to take part can register at the site the first time they participate. There is no registration fee.
Those seeking more information or registration forms can consult the website at www.lwrun.org or email Abelon at [email protected].
Runners can enter multiple events. Assisted walks are also allowed. Parents are also allowed to assist children.
All participants will be issued a competitor number to be pinned to the front of their shirt. They will use those numbers each time they compete.
Abelon said it will save a lot of time if the registration forms are filled out prior to the participants’ arrival at Hood Park.
