Thought Leadership v6

What pro track athletes actually need to succeed.

🗓 Thursday July 24th, 2025

Becoming a professional track and field athlete requires a huge amount of talent and discipline. Yet, those two things alone won’t cut it. There are so many components that go into earning success in the sport, but what matters most to professional track and field athletes? In this week’s article, we’re diving into the depths of what professional athletes actually need to succeed long-term in the sport of track and field.

Based on a small study conducted by ProTrackletes, 77% of respondents who identified as aspiring, current, or former (at any level) stated that support with travel expenses would help with their transition from college to pro. Other top answers included support regarding access to facilities, coaching help, meeting planning/scheduling, and discounts on both apparel and recovery accessories. Other important components necessary for success:

💲Reliable Financial Support

One of the biggest struggles for professional track and field athletes is their income. With no guaranteed salaries, money can be a huge stressor on top of already demanding training schedules. Between the pressure to peak at the right time in an effort to make ends meet, there really is no “stable” income for professionals in this sport. 

Newer leagues like Grand Slam Track have attempted a new format where there is “guaranteed prize money” for all athletes involved. However, selection into these meets is exclusive, and the recent backlash regarding athletes not getting paid out as quickly as promised is concerning. Other meets also offer decent amounts of prize money, but fail to offer any sort of year-round financial assistance.

⛑Access to Medical and Athletic Training Services

A huge part of being a successful professional track and field athlete also requires access to medical assistance. Whether that’s massage therapy, chiropractic service, or physical therapy, the demands of our sport require athletes to recover just as hard as they train. Those who have access to this care are far more likely to succeed. Things like partnerships with local clinics, access to trainers who understand the sport, and affordable insurance options for athletes would all be helpful to pros.

👫🏽Community

This is a component of the sport that seems less important than the others, because at the end of the day, track and field is an individual sport. However, it takes a village for each individual athlete to be successful… from your coach to your training partners and physical therapists. Success is not earned alone, but through the community and support system built around you.

It’s evident that there is a need and a desire for a community and space where professional track and field athletes can access these resources and get the help they need in order to be successful. That’s what we’re committed to building here with ProTrackletes.