Track & Field Teams & Clinics
Youth Track and Field
Discover the thrill of track and field at YMCA of Greater Indianapolis! Our expertly coached programs across Indianapolis help youth aged 4-12 develop their technique, sportsmanship and endurance.
RegisterDeveloping Young Athletes
Our youth track and field program is at the heart of our offerings. This program is ideal for children looking to improve their running technique, learn new field event skills and gain endurance for other sports. Over a seven-week course, athletes train in various track and field events, including relays, dashes and modified shot put and javelin.
Age-Specific Training
Competitive Opportunities
Diverse Locations
Cost Effective
Track and Field Running Programs
Youth Track & Field Team
Ages 4 -12
Every kid has potential waiting to be unlocked. Our Youth Track & Field Team at the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis gives young athletes the tools, confidence and community to discover what they’re truly capable of. Training up to twice a week, your child will build real athletic skills while learning what it means to work hard, support teammates and compete with character. Our coaches create an environment where every child feels seen, challenged and encouraged to grow, not just as an athlete, but as a person. Whether your kid is chasing a personal best or just finding their stride for the very first time, this is where they belong.
Sprints: Participants can engage in various sprints including the popular 100m dash.
Middle-Distance Races: Events like the 800m are available for those interested in middle-distance challenges.
Field Events: Athletes can choose to participate in field events such as long jump and shot put.
The program is open to children aged 4-12, catering to a wide range of young athletes.
- Irsay and OrthoIndy Foundation: Ages 4-12
- Fishers:
- Age 4
- Age 5-6
- Age 7-8
- Ages 9-10
- Ages 11-12
Irsay and OrthoIndy Foundation YMCAs: At these centers, comprehensive training is provided across all sprint and field events. This ensures a well-rounded athletic education and prepares participants for competitive meets.
Fishers YMCA: This location focuses on delivering age-appropriate training that addresses the developmental needs of various age groups, providing targeted skill development that is both challenging and rewarding.
Practice Sessions: During the 7-week training period, athletes engage in comprehensive practice sessions held twice a week. These sessions focus on developing essential skills in various track and field disciplines, improving overall athletic performance and preparing participants for competitive meets. Coaches emphasize technique, sportsmanship and strategic approaches to competition, ensuring athletes are well-prepared and confident.
Meets
- Dual Meets: After weeks of diligent training, athletes have the opportunity to compete in two dual meets. These meets allow participants to test their skills against their peers in a friendly yet competitive environment, applying what they’ve learned in practice to real race situations.
- All-City Meet: The season reaches its climax with an all-city meet, which brings together the most promising young talents from around Indianapolis. This highly anticipated event serves as a platform for athletes to showcase their skills on a larger stage, competing with the best in the city and gaining valuable competitive experience.
Our programs are priced inclusively to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate.
- Members: $118
- Non-Members: $149
- Additional Costs: Uniforms required, available for purchase through our partnered vendor.
Participation in YMCA sports programs requires a uniform, which can be ordered directly from our vendor. These uniforms are designed for multiple sports and can be reused across seasons, ensuring both cost-effectiveness and convenience.
Youth Cross-Country Team
Ages 4-12
Running is about more than speed, it’s about grit, heart and the will to keep going. Our Youth Cross-Country Team at the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis helps young runners build endurance, push their limits, and learn to love the process of getting better every day. Over several weeks, athletes train with experienced coaches and compete in real meets where they can see their hard work pay off in real time. Every mile run in practice, every hill conquered and every finish line crossed builds a stronger, more confident kid. This program doesn’t just develop runners, it develops character.
Short Distance: For younger runners, focus on distances suitable for their age and stamina.
Long Distance: For more experienced runners, increasing endurance and tactical racing strategies.
Junior Runners (Ages 4-8): Engage in shorter, manageable distances with a focus on fun and basic running techniques.
- Age 4
- Ages 5-6
- Ages 7-8
Senior Runners (Ages 9-12): Prepare for longer distances emphasizing endurance and competitive tactics.
- Ages 9-10
- Ages 11-12
Jordan YMCA: The exclusive location for the cross-country program, offering tailored terrain and courses ideal for cross-country training.
Practice Sessions: The cross country program follows a 7-week training schedule with practice sessions held twice a week. These practices are designed to build endurance, enhance running techniques and teach race strategies. Each session is tailored to progressively develop runners’ stamina and efficiency, crucial for the longer distances characteristic of cross country racing. Coaches focus on a variety of training elements, such as tempo runs, hill workouts and speed intervals, which are essential for building a strong running foundation and improving overall race performance.
Meets
- Mini Meets: Throughout the training period, cross-country athletes participate in mini meets. These meets provide a platform for runners to apply their training in a competitive setting, helping them to adjust their pace and use their skills effectively against other runners. It’s an excellent way for athletes to experience the dynamics of a real race and identify areas for improvement.
- YMCA Cross Country Meet: The training culminates in the YMCA Cross Country Meet held in October. This event is a major highlight of the season, where runners from various YMCA locations across Indianapolis come together to compete. It offers a larger, more challenging competitive environment where athletes can showcase their endurance and racing tactics learned over the season.
Our programs are priced inclusively to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate.
- Members: $118
- Non-Members: $149
- Additional Costs: Uniforms required, available for purchase through our partnered vendor.
Participation in YMCA sports programs requires a uniform, which can be ordered directly from our vendor. These uniforms are designed for multiple sports and can be reused across seasons, ensuring cost-effectiveness and convenience.
Clinics
Ages 2-12
Not sure if your child is ready for a team? Start here. Our Track & Field Clinics at the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis are the perfect first step for kids who are curious about the sport but aren’t quite ready to dive into a full season. In a fun, welcoming and low-pressure setting, young athletes receive expert coaching, learn the fundamentals of track and field, and begin building a foundation they can grow from for years to come. No experience is needed, just a willingness to try something new. It’s less about competition and more about discovery, joy and falling in love with movement.
Participants receive instruction in essential running fundamentals, including running form and stride technique. Our experienced coaches ensure that each child learns the correct mechanics of running, which is crucial for preventing injuries and improving efficiency. The clinics also cover proper warm-up and cool-down routines, helping young athletes establish good habits from the start.
- Structured Sessions: The clinic sessions are structured to provide a balance of instruction, practice and fun. Each session is designed to keep the young athletes engaged and motivated, with a variety of activities that cater to different skill levels.
- Progressive Learning: Over the course of the clinic, participants will experience a progressive learning curve, starting from the very basics to more advanced aspects of running. This ensures a comprehensive understanding and ability to apply what they’ve learned effectively in their future athletic endeavors.
- Benjamin Harrison YMCA: Ages 3-12
- OrthoIndy Foundation YMCA: Ages 4-12
- Jordan YMCA: Ages 4-15
- Fishers YMCA: Ages 5-12
- Enhanced Athletic Performance: The skills learned at the track clinic have wide-ranging benefits that go beyond the track, aiding performance in virtually any sport.
- Building Confidence: As participants see their skills improve, their confidence grows, which is essential for their development both as athletes and individuals.
- Social Development: Interacting with peers and coaches in a structured setting helps young athletes develop social skills and teamwork.
Our programs are priced inclusively to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate.
- Members: $41
- Non-Members: $54
Find Your Nearest Track and Field Hub
Our track and field clubs near me are located across several centers, including Fishers, Irsay, Jordan, OrthoIndy Foundation and Benjamin Harrison YMCAs. Each location offers unique programs and facilities that cater to the needs of young athletes.
Are you ready to enroll your child in one of our track and field or cross-country programs? Visit our website or speak to the front desk at any of our locations to find the perfect fit for your young athlete and start their track and field journey today!
