Hi LRC,
I'm moving to Boston (from the UK) in January. I love racing 400m and 800m, but I'm not fast. Let's pretend I'm 59 seconds for 400m and 2:14 for 800m, because that's where I'd like to be in January (I'm male). I'm 27, so I don't qualify for junior or masters meets.
Basic question, but how do I actually race these events? In the UK there are local events you can run in through an athletics club, but is there an equivalent in the USA? How do I actually do this?
Can't help with Boston, but NYRR (New York Road Runners) has a "Summer Speed Series" which is a handful of track events for hobby joggers. If there's nothing similar in Boston, it's only a few hour train ride to NYC (and you can watch a real baseball team while here!)
actually, you do qualify for at least some "masters" competitions. USATF masters nationals (outdoor and indoor) starts at 25-29 age group. you can look it up, it's in the annual results. there are also regional championships and ours shows a sprinkling of 25-29s. those meets are usually june-july. USATF masters has a schedule online.
i would also look up local track clubs that have masters participating, they seem to have random meets or be part of some youth meets but it's below radar if you're not in the club or checking their schedules.
there's unattached at college meets, but that's about to wind down towards conference meets, last chance, and nationals, which aren't "unattached meets." maybe next year. if you want to do that, more like december-january, march-early april. and if you're slow, do unattached at like D3/NAIA. because, reminder, you are in a college track meet.
you can also look for "all-comers meets" and for those who cares if it's D1 or D3 because the races are anyone and everyone, all ages, both sexes, maybe even same heat. back in the day i would have 100m all comers heats that are like a 10 year old, a couple decent HS kids, couple masters men, and a world class D1 women's sprinter from the college team across town.
I'm shocked that masters starts at 25!