We know that keeping track of all the meets going on may be difficult, so we wrote up a piece with the top five most looked-after meets that you won't want to miss. Check to see if there are any in your area because chances are we will see these athletes torch the track from the get-go. Check out the invitationals below.
1. Redondo Track Festival (3/8 - 3/9)
The invitational hosted by Redondo Union HS is always a thrill. Many teams come from out of town to race on the beachfront school, and each year yields fast times for the individuals which helps them get one step closer to the prestigious Arcadia Invitational. Last year, over eighty schools partook in this early season invitational.
2. Dublin Distance Fiesta (3/15 - 3/16)
The event in the North Coast Section brings in thousands of athletes for their distance-only invitational. Last season, in the boy's mile alone there were well over a thousand participants, plus many others who had registered but did not compete. Again, that was only in one of the races offered. If you are a distance fan make sure you keep this meet in mind.
3. Mt. Carmel Invitational (3/23)
One of the San Diego Section's biggest invitationals, this meet has hosted teams arriving from California, Arizona, Nevada, and even New York. A one-day meet, you will be at the track around the clock watching the athletes inch closer to a P.R with each event. Last year we saw the boys from Wilson (Long Beach) HS scorch the field with a 7:45.51 in the 4x800 relay, an event they won by almost thirty seconds.
4. Azusa Distance Meet of Champions (3/23)
On the same day as the Mt. Carmel Invitational, the Southern Section will have its own major invite. This distance-gear event is one of the last major opportunities that athletes have to make their best effort for eligibility to the Arcadia Invitational. Nestled at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, the cooler temperatures in the evening allow for fast times which help lower P.R's by the dozen.
5. Trabuco Hills Invitational & Distance Carnival (3/29 - 3/30)
This two-day invitational gives athletes a great chance to bring out the best in them before the month ends. Filled with mostly teams from the Southern Section, this fifty-plus-team invitational offers plenty of depth in fields for all their competitors. This is arguably the final major opportunity for athletes across all events, not just distance, to achieve a mark for consideration to the Arcadia Invitational a few weeks after this race.