All youth will compete in track meets in their respective age categories. 

Youth competitions typically take place in two-year age divisions. These age divisions provide young athletes the opportunity to compete with other athletes of similar ability. The age divisions for competition year 2010 are as follows:

* Athletes who are still 18 through the final day of the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships are eligible to compete in the Young Men's and Young Women's divisions through that meet. This extended eligibility does not apply to cross country events. Sub-Bantam categories are contested for children born after 2000 in some district level meets.