USA Track & Field Foundation Expands Athlete Support Through Partnership with LA Track Fest and Skechers

LOS ANGELES, CA — Skechers has been named the Official Footwear and Apparel Sponsor for LA Track Fest through a multi-year partnership with Sound Running. In collaboration with the USATF Foundation, Skechers will enhance the event by introducing its innovative Skechers AERO Series of performance running shoes and supporting the running community at UCLA. The historic Drake Stadium will host this year’s LA Track Fest, the biggest and best early season Elite outdoor track meet, on May 23, 2026.

The USATF Foundation has been a leading supporter of elite track and field athletes, awarding over $24.5 million in direct grants over the past 20 years. The Foundation’s partnership with the LA Track Fest marks its first effort into supporting high level domestic meets and providing opportunities for U.S. athletes to compete on home soil.

Part of the USATF Tour, LA Track Fest is a World Athletics Silver Label event that will feature the best athletes in the world in races from the 100m to the 5000m, along with certain field events — and will offer Gold Level prize pools for many of the premiere events.

“We’re expecting the best athletes in the world to put on a show for the LA track community,” said Jesse Williams of Sound Running. “In the past few years, Sound Running events have featured world-class athletes including Grant Fisher, Sifan Hassan, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, and Cole Hocker — and we expect strong participation amongst the USATF Foundation’s tremendous elite grant community this year.” 

“Our goal is to provide an amazing opportunity for the athletes, and to give the fans the best possible experience with a festival vibe,” Williams added.  “The set-up of accommodations and facilities at UCLA is ideal, and we plan to create a high-energy atmosphere that surrounds the highest levels of athletic competition.”

“As the Official Footwear and Apparel Sponsor of LA Track Fest this year, we’re looking forward to connecting with some of the world’s most talented runners and showcasing our Skechers AERO Series of technical running shoes,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “Our participation not only allows athletes to experience the signature comfort and innovation of our products firsthand but also underscores our brand’s dedication to the sport and offers a unique opportunity to engage with passionate track & field fans and the broader running community.” 

As part of its sponsorship, Skechers will present two marquee races at this year’s LA Track Fest – the SKECHERS Running Women’s 1500m and SKECHERS Running Men’s 1500m. Attendees can also visit the Skechers exhibit space at UCLA’s Drake Stadium to experience Skechers AERO running shoes in person. Additionally, Skechers will provide footwear to all event staff, officials, and the broadcast team from Flotrack.  

“The USATF Foundation knows this will rank among the finest and most innovative meets in the country this year,” said Tom Jackovic, CEO of the Foundation.  “We’re delighted to provide prize money and competition support to US athletes from the Foundation, and we look forward to celebrating the sport with our deep community of track and field athletes, sponsors, and directors.” 

Flotrack will deliver live coverage of Track Fest, ensuring fans everywhere can experience the excitement of the event.

Athletes, coaches, agents and managers can find more information at LA Track Fest