Athletes & Family
Get Involved
Torch Run
Crossing the Finish Line

Get Certified!

Get Certified!

Do you want to get certified in this sport? Do you need to be recertified? Contact Andrea Stamm or visit Coaches Education.

Is This Sport in My Area?

Is This Sport in My Area?

Check your local program to see if they offer this sport.

Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship Course

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) developed a complimentary course to give you a better understanding of sportsmanship and how it impacts your specific role in modeling it at all practices and competitions. Insight is shared throughout the course from fans, players, parents, coaches and officials.
The free course takes about 15 minutes to complete and can be found in the NFSH website. This is an extra resource for local programs and coaches, but it is not currently a part of SONC's certification process. Once the course is complete, each coach will receive a certificate. If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Stamm.

Athletics (track & field)

Meet Athletics Athlete Sharron Simmons!

The history of Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) athletics dates back to 1970, as it was the first Special Olympics sport to arrive on the scene at the games held in Burlington, NC. Since that time, it has grown into the largest sport offered by SONC.

Rules

Resources

Events Offered

SONC offers competition in 26 different athletics events, ranging in distances from 10 meters to 1,500 meters, as well as multiple field events. This range of events allows athletes of all ability levels the opportunity to train and compete successfully to the best of their abilities.

Developmental Events
10m/25m Assisted Walk
Tennis Ball Throw

Wheelchair Events
10m/25m Wheelchair Races
100m/200m Wheelchair Races
30m Wheelchair Slalom
25m Wheelchair Obstacle
30m/50m Motorized Wheelchair Slalom
Wheelchair Shot Put
Softball Throw

Lead-Up Events
25m/50m Dash
25m/50m Race Walk
Standing Long Jump
Softball Throw

Traditional Events
100m/200m/400m Dash
100m/400m Race Walk
800m/1500m Run
Running Long Jump
Shot Put
Pentathlon
4 x 100 Relay

Competition Opportunities

Athletics qualifiers are designed to help division (a competitive grouping by age, gender and ability) athletes for state-level events. Attendance at an athletics qualifier is mandatory for athletes in order to advance to state-level competition. Qualifiers for athletics take place typically in April.

SONC Summer Games is the state-level competition featuring athletics and takes place in Raleigh typically the first weekend in June.

The Penn Relays is the longest uninterrupted collegiate track meet in the country held every April at the University of Pennslyvania. There are two events in which a limited number of Special Olympics athletes are allowed to compete – the 100 meter dash and the 4×100 relay. If you are interested in taking athletes to the Penn Relays, please contact Andrea Stamm.

Athletics Calendar


All forms must be submitted by the local program coordinator.

Qualifier Registration Forms

Qualifier Coach Roster
Qualifier Entry Form 
Qualifier Relay Entry Form

Summer Games Sport Registration Forms

Below are the athletics entry instructions. Local program coordinators should follow these instructions and submit entries along with the remainder of the Summer Games registration.  Click here for a full list of Summer Games registration forms.

Summer Games Athletics Entry Instructions

Sport Development Team

These volunteers advise SONC staff regarding sport rule modifications, competition and also train coaches in their sport! For more information on the athletics sport development team, contact one of the members below or Andrea Stamm, SONC staff liaison.

Greg Dirks, SDT Director
Clinton, NC

Rick Gemereth
Matthews, NC

Debby Michael
Lexington, NC

Tony Wayne
Raleigh, NC