May 20, 2007
Hershey’s Track and Field Youth Program and the city of Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services invite Nevada boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 14 to participate in a free regional qualifying open track meet Wednesday, June 6, at the Western High School track, located at 4601 West Bonanza Road. Registration will be held on site from 5 to 5:45 p.m. on June 6, with the events to begin at 6 p.m.

Youth will compete in three age groups, 9 to 10, 11 to 12 and 13 to 14, as determined by the participant’s age on Dec. 31, 2007. Events include the 50-, 100-, 200-, 400-, 800- and 1600-meter dash, 4x100-meter relay, standing long jump and softball throw. Within each age group, boys will compete with boys and girls will compete with girls. Each participant may enter up to three events; if three events are selected, at least one must be a field event (long jump or softball throw). Ribbons will be awarded for first-place finishes. The 50-meter dash is open to ages 9 and 10 only. The 800-meter run excludes ages 9 and 10, and the 1600-meter dash is open only to ages 13 and 14. Times and distances will be compared with Northern Nevada, California, Hawaii, Utah and Arizona results to determine composition of the regional team. Those selected as regional representatives will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Hershey, Pa., to compete in the North American Final Meet Aug. 2 through 5, 2007. In total, approximately 550 young athletes will spend four action-packed days in Hershey visiting the sites, meeting peers and famous track and field athletes, and competing in a nationally recognized track event at Henry Hershey Field.

A copy of each participant’s birth certificate must be submitted at registration as proof of age. Shoe spikes and starting blocks will not be permitted. Official Hershey T-shirts (provided at registration), shoes and shorts are required clothing. A relay team must register together as a team, and if selected, must remain together to compete in the national finals. For more information on the local track meet, call (702) 229-6729.

Hershey's Track & Field Games aim to encourage physical fitness, foster teamwork and improve self-esteem in youth through basic events like running, jumping and throwing. Hershey's Track & Field Games is the largest youth sports program of its kind in the United States and Canada. Meets take place in every state and every province in North America. More than 10 million youth have participated in the North American program since its founding 30 years ago, according to the Hershey Company.

For detailed rules and more information on the national program, go online to www.hersheystrackandfield.com.