Getting Started
The Basics of Participation
Choose an event you are interested in (either from our Event Calendar or one you'd like to do) and either become an Event Leader (if it's a new event) or join an existing team for events that already have Event Leaders. Anyone can join a Public Health Service Athletics team but every event must have at least one USPHS Commissioned Corps officer as an Event Leader.
Events may include running, swimming, biking, walking, weightlifting, or other speed, strength, and endurance events. See Qualifying Events below for specific criteria.
Participants
Anyone can join a Public Health Service Athletics team! Check out the events on our Event Calendar and email the Event Leader(s) to find out more. Is your favorite event missing from the calendar? Then become an Event Leader!
Event Leaders
Event leaders are individuals who have decided to participate in a Qualifying Event and will organize and lead a Public Health Service Athletics team. Event Leaders ensure that their teams meet the requirements of the Surgeon General's Fitness Team Roll Call (see below) and that all team members wear clothing identifying the U.S. Public Health Service and/or the USPHS Commissioned Corps and/or Public Health Service Athletics while participating. See this Event Leader "Cliff Notes" document for more information. Event Leaders must submit a Participation Log within 30 days of event completion in order to get credit.
Want to become an Event Leader? Choose an event and email us at PublicHealthServiceAthletics@gmail.com and we'll help you get started!
Have questions? Review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you still have questions, email us at PublicHealthServiceAthletics@gmail.com.
Qualifying Events
| Note: All events must be open to the public and have some basic level of organization (e.g., time keeping, place tracking, scoring). Most events will be conducted by a larger organization (e.g., a 10K running race in a city's downtown, or organized by a local club or church). Many sports have sanctioning bodies (e.g., USATF, USAW, USA Triathlon) that provide guidance on event organization and conduct, though official sanctioning is not required. |
| Distance running: 5K or longer |
| Running (track events): Must compete in at least two events per meet, regardless of distance |
| Obstacle course endurance events: Events in this category should generally be 5K or longer and will be evaluated by the Executive Directors on a case-by-case basis based on degree of athleticism and training required for said events |
Walking-type endurance events: Events in this category should generally be 10 km or longer and will be evaluated by the Executive Directors on a case-by-case basis based on degree of athleticism and training required for said event
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| Hiking: At least 5 miles with a numerical rating of at least 100 using the formula: square root of (elevation gain in feet x 2 x distance in miles) |
| Swimming: Must compete in at least two races per organized swim meet (competitive pool meet), no matter the distance of each race (e.g., the 1500m/1650yds races counts as one of two races). Stand-alone pool distance events not part of a multi-race swim meet must be at least 900m or 1000yds. Long distance open water events must be 0.5 mile or longer. |
Bicycling: Criterium races or comparable level events; events of at least 25 miles per day or event
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Triathlon: Events will be evaluated by the Executive Directors on a case-by-case basis. For team triathlons, each member must complete the minimum distance listed in this section for that sport (for the leg he/she completed) to be considered a participant, otherwise he/she shall be considered a supporter.
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| Weights: Powerlifting or weightlifting; must compete in at least two different lifting events per meet |
| Other disciplines and events will be evaluated for suitability by the Executive Directors on a case-by-case basis. Evaluation criteria will include degree of athleticism and training required for said event |
Surgeon General's Fitness Team Roll Call
- The Executive Directors will review each event and determine whether an event meets the Surgeon General's Fitness Team Roll Call qualifying requirements. Roll Call requirements are not absolute, but meeting the requirements will ensure approval. Variations will be considered individually in the context of how each serves the Mission and Core Values of Public Health Service Athletics.
- Each event must have an Event Leader who will document participation for the Executive Directors in order to earn qualifying events for the Surgeon General's Fitness Team Roll Call.
- Each event must include five PHS officers. Or, two PHS officers and eight civilians (any age) organized under the Event Leader. At least one Event Leader must be a PHS officer.
- All participants must display PHS pride items that clearly identifies either the Public Health Service or the Commissioned Corps.
- Must be official, public events (i.e., open to the public). See Qualifying Events above.
- General guidelines are listed under Qualifying Events but the Executive Directors will make determinations on a case-by-case basis for events that are not specifically covered in these guidelines.
- Individuals must participate in at least two events per year.
- To receive credit, athletes are generally expected to complete events they have entered.
Page Last Modified on 8/30/2023
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