Casey Clare has been a professional runner for several years, and is currently a national trail and marathon champion. She began running in her teens because it was “one of the fastest ways to lose weight.” She did not, however, consider it a sport because her parents were very concerned about her safety while running. Her concern led her to study track and field, specifically track and field’s National High School Athletic Association (NHSAA) rules on height and age. She found that there are many rule changes that affect high school athletes on both sides of the spectrum, and that these changes can affect a runner’s ability to be successful in her sport.
Many of the changes in track and field have to do with the level of competition. Since the 1970s, the National Amateur Athletic Association (NASA) has had a height differential rule, requiring schools to provide opportunities for girls and women of certain heights to participate in athletic competition. The problem was that while most high school students are on the taller side, many athletes from other sports don’t fit this standard. This meant that women such as Casey Clare had a harder time finding scholarships in her sport of choice. When she became a professional runner, she realized that her height did not have anything to do with her ability to be a professional runner.
Her determination and hard work have paid off because she is now a National Team Partner for the United States National Team. Her story is important to other female runners and helped pave the way for female runners to feel comfortable and successful in their own careers. As an athlete, you should never let your height or race track disadvantage you in any way. Find a legal, legitimate coach who will help you build your career, and if it involves a sport like track and field, find a coach who has plenty of experience with your chosen profession.