Saturday, June 23, 2007

(Gainesville, FL) The Gainesville Sports Commission (GSC), will host the Hershey Track and Field Florida Qualifier on June 23rd at the University of Florida's Percy Beard Track. Youth athletes from all over the state will compete against the local host team from Gainesville's Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs for a chance at the ultimate prize - a trip to the Hershey Track and Field Games North American Final in Hershey, PA.

The Hershey's Track and Field Games is the longest-running grassroots youth fitness program of its kind in North America. It is designed to encourage physical fitness among youth and emphasize sportsmanship through basic track and field events such as running, jumping, and throwing. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Games.

Open to boys and girls ages nine through 14, the Hershey's Track & Field Games hopes to attract 500,000 participants to compete in local, district, state and provincial meets held across North America during April to July. At least five finalists from each of the 50 U.S. states, 10 Canadian provinces and three Canadian territories will ultimately qualify for the North American Finals, to be held August 2-5 at Henry Hershey Field in Hershey. In total, 550 athletes participate in the final event and have the chance to meet some of the greatest athletes in track and field history, such as Olympians Carl Lewis and Bruce Jenner.

The GSC, formally known as the Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee, is able to host this event with the help of the Gainesville Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs department, University Athletic Association and funding through a grant by the Alachua County VCB through the bid and event pool administered by the Gainesville Sports Commission. Nearly 1,200 visitors are expected to attend this year's competition including the athletes, coaches, and family members.

"The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department is happy to be partnering with the Gainesville Sports Commission to host the State Hershey's Track and Field Games. This is the 1st time the meet will be held in Gainesville. In the past, the meet was held at far off locations. Many times kids were not able to compete, due to the added expense of travel" said Recreation Supervisor, Karen Cayson, from the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs. "Many of the kids in our track program have potential, and this will be the first time that they have seen and ran on a collegiate level track. It will be a great experience for them, hopefully inspiring them to dream big."

Gainesville's expected contingent of 30-plus athletes will join more than 500 other Florida Athletes from eight Florida cities including: Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, Boynton Beach, Kissimmee, Melbourne, Daytona Beach and Largo. More local Gainesville youth athletes are participating in this year's Hershey Track and Field Florida Qualifier because the GSC is hosting the event. Only four local athletes participated at the state qualifier in 2006.

The Hershey Track and Field Florida Qualifier begins at 8:00am on June 23rd and at Percy Beard Track. After the 8:30am Parade of Athletes, running events begin that include 50-meter dash, 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash, 800-meter run, 1600-meter run, 4x100-meter relay. The two field events include the standing long jump and the softball throw. Admission is free.

Persons wishing to volunteer may call Alex Alston at the Gainesville Sports Commission @ 352-338-9300 or email: aalston@gainesvillesportscommission.com

For more information about the Hershey Track and Field Florida Qualifier and the Hershey's Track and Field Games North American Final please log onto www.hersheystrackandfield.com.