M'ville hosts All-Comers Track Meets

With pandemic restrictions easing and activities starting, a series of track meets next month provides a great way to go outside and have some sun.

The All-Comers Track Meet takes place each Thursday from July 1 through July 22. Children, teens, adults, senior citizens and everyone in between show up to compete in a variety of track and field events.

“It’s just a really good, fun, active event for families to enjoy,” said Jennifer Friess, athletics supervisor for the city of Marysville’s department of Parks, Culture and Recreation.

Students from the track teams at Marysville-Pilchuck and Lakewood high schools volunteer to help organize the meet as well as participate, Marysville-Pilchuck track and field coach Mike Cull said, adding the meets are more low-key and fun without any pressure.

Friess said the All-Comers Track Meets started in 2006, but the recession canceled the events in 2008. The track meets started again in 2017 and alternate between Marysville-Pilchuck and Lakewood high schools. The pandemic prompted the cancellation of 2020 track meets.

Cull said the track meets attract people from surrounding communities and from Skagit County. He added Shoreline and Bellingham hold similar events during the summer.

Athletes compete in 10 running events that range from 50-meters to 1,600 meters. Running events take place on a rolling start. Field events include long jump, softball throw, shot put and high jump.

Friess said between 100 and 150 people typically show up to compete. Cull said numbers of people increased each time a track meet was held.

Each track meet starts at 5:30 p.m. and takes place July 1, July 8, July 15 and July 22. Registration costs $5 and people can preregister at marysvillewa.gov/971/All-Comers-Track-Meets or on the day of the event. Friess said she is encouraging people to pre-register.  

For more information about events organized by the city of Marysville, go to www.marysvillewa.gov.