Young athletes reminded to hydrate during four day track meet

By JESSA LEWIS
6 News Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Record-breaking temperatures have people staying indoors when they can and drinking water like crazy.

But competitors at the AAU National Qualifying track meet can't just wait for a break from 100 degree temperatures. That's why they are heeding the event's popular motto: "Don't Wait, Hydrate."

Track athletes are not strangers to Mother Nature's wrath, whether it's rain showers at the starting line or blistering heat throughout the whole meet.

"Normally, the track meets come in the summertime after school is out, so they come in the hotter part of the year, in the month of July. So it is typical, but this year is a little bitter harder than usual," said Clarksville All-Stars coach Joseph Marshall.

Coaches and parents are taking extra precautions this weekend to keep young athletes healthy.

"We make sure to bring first aid kits, plenty of ice and ice packs for the athletes and then we also have a generator this time, that we hook up ourselves with fans," Marshall explained.

Meet officials are keeping an eye on runners and fans to make sure everyone stays hydrated.

"You can see a lot of orange coolers spread out around the track and we're trying to make sure we keep those coolers filled for the officials and for the athletes, so wherever they are we hope to have it there to where they don't have to go looking for it," explained Assistant Meet Director Charles Oliver.

"Sometimes an athlete won't tell you how they're feeling and what they're doing, so we have to monitor them," Marshall said.

That includes the athletes who might not even participate in an event today.

"The kids make sure they eat right and they know that even thought they may not be running today, that they may be running tomorrow, that they don't go do other activities that cause them to get hurt or injured, and eat or not hydrate themselves," added Marshall.