86th Annual Chandler Rotary Track & Field Invitational (chandlerrotarytm)

2026 Meet Information

What’s New for 2026

Time to start preparing for the future: As I am a lot closer to 70 now, I have decided to step back from being a meet director. I will still be handling the entries and seeding side of the meet but will step back in other capacities. I could not have made it this long if it wasn’t for the help and directorship of Eric Richardson. He will be the individual solely in charge of the event. We are going to start training the future leadership of the meet so the torch will smoothly be passed in the coming years. Welcome shout out to Derrick Richardson and Kenney Broom.

If you need:

General logistical questions contact Eric Richardson
Entry and seeding questions contact Dave Shapiro

Alternates: We have stated for the past ten years that all alternates should be able to race at the track meet. Because we had so many alternates listed I assume that coaches didn’t think their athletes would compete and they did not show. Therefore, this year the track event alternates on Friday will be held to 12. For Saturday Seeded session it will be five (5) alternates. All field athletes that are entered will be allowed to compete.

Entry Standards. Will be strictly enforced. These standards are based from an average of the past five years. 2021 was a covid year and even though there was track meet—this year is not included in the average. Entry standards will be posted on the rotary website. We have always had entry standards, they just weren’t always enforced. If an athlete does NOT meet the mark they will not be allowed to be entered in athletic.net. Remember, marks are based on lifetime bests—not seasonal best. IF you have a freshman or a transfer student and (s)he does NOT have a mark you will need to email me. These standards will be posted on meet website and athletic.net Chandler Rotary Page.

Last year we added an event: We added an open 1600 for those athletes not eligible to compete for various state bylaws. It didn’t really go as had hoped, so we will NOT be contesting this event for 2026 and beyond.

NIKE: Over ten years ago I had the priviledge of going to NIKE Campus and meeting with Drew, Simon and Pat. It was a wonderful relationship between the Rotary Invitational and NIKE. Since then, Drew is now in China, Simon is in Europe and Pat is now with NIKE Trail Running. Also since then NIKE slashed their budgets and has continued to lower their support to our meet. We never got funds, but we got support in providing the BIBS, awards and product for our souvenir product sales. The support last year was almost non-existent and it’s hard to say it, but as of this writing the meet will no longer be tied, supported or sponsored by NIKE.

HOTELS: March is peak season for the Phoenix Metro area. It is easier to book hotels NOW and cancel what you don’t need as we get closer to the meet. Check hotels in the east valley or even Casa Grande, AZ (40 miles south of Chandler). Twice over the years a team has booked hotels in Tucson (90 miles south of Chandler) since they were half the cost of hotels in Phoenix. Hotels that we have contacted and have agreed to give a discounted rate and breakfast will be listed and posted on the Chandler Rotary WebSite.